Haslemere Parish Contacts
Rector: Rev Chris Bessant 01428 658107 rector@haslemereparish.org
Assc. Minister: Rev Justin Manley-Cooper 07798 932843 revjustin@haslemereparish.org
Verger: St Bartholomew’s
Carol Skeates 01428 642662
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, Electoral Roll Officer and Link Bookings:
Kari Hayden
Contact Parish Office—see above.
Safeguarding Officer
Kari Hayden
Church Wardens
Howard Body
07762 737309
Verity Sutherland children@haslemereparish.org
Children & Families Worker
Victoria Martin families@haslemereparish.org
First Steps
Mondays in St Christopher’s 0-5 Year Olds
Sophie Bessant & Victoria Martin families@haslemereparish.org
Treasurer
Andrew Culshaw: 07889 855239
Gift Aid Secretary
Geoff Martin 01428 641907
PCC Secretary
Katie Morgan 07794 149111 secretary@haslemereparish.org
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.
07900 914155
Gareth David 01428 643617
Deputy Warden
David Simmons 01428 644826
LLM (Reader)
Peter Sellars
midsummer4peter@gmail.com
Director of Music & Organist
Clive Osgood 07747 785 940
Older Children’s Worker
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.
Please recycle this magazine when you have read it. Either into paper recycling, or better still, pass it on to a friend
Bell-ringers
Paul Bagshaw 01428 656129
Friends of the Parish
Chris Lemar 01428 651435
Flowers
St Bartholomew’s
Sarah Mulliner 01428 643504
St Christopher’s
Frances Reincke 01428 607206
Church Care Group
Roscelin Rees 01428 651561
Churchyards
Philip Hunt 01428 644120
Pastoral Visitors
Church Office 01428 644578
Pastoral Assistants
Ruth Pattenden 01428 653033
Wendy Neate 01428 656320
Bereavement Visitors
Linda Donaldson 01428 644473
Sarah Mulliner 01428 643504
Wendy Neate
Mothers’Union Treasurer
Sue Davis 01428 661115
BRF Representative
Sarah Mulliner 01428 643504
Magazine Secretary
Jane Slevin 07949 633979 office@haslemereparish.org
Magazine Advertisements Manager: Geoff Martin 01428 641907
Safeguarding Contacts:
Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor is:
Jackie Broadfoot 07918 559387 jackie.broadfoot@cofeguildford.org.uk
Safe Spaces, an independent service supporting survivors of church-related abuse. Telephone: 0300 303 1056
Email safespaces@victimsupport.org.uk WebChat via the Safe Spaces website
For all emergencies call 999
The Single Point of Access (SPA)
Children and Adult Service social workers. Direct information, advice and guidance about where and how to find appropriate support for children and families: Surrey 0300 470 9100 (children) cspa@surreycc.gov.uk (adult) acsmash@surreycc.gov.uk
Domestic Abuse
Surrey - YourSanctuary 01483 776822
24hr National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247
DeafHope (BSL) text: 07970 350366
Childline 0800 1111
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
NSPCC 0808 800 5000 or help@nspcc.org.uk
NSPCC Sign Video link nspcc.org.uk/aboutus/contact-us
Samaritans 116123 or jo@samaritans.org
Modern Day Slavery Helpline 0800 01210700
Mental Health Crisis Helpline
0300 5000 101
Open 5.00pm - 9.00am Monday to Friday 24 hours cover at weekends inc Bank
Holidays
SMS texting facility for people who are deaf or hard of hearing: 07717 989024
Stop it Now! 0808 1000 900 www.stopitnow.org.uk
Dear Friends
At a recent school service, I was asked to teach the children all about gluealmost literally. Every schoolchild knows how to use glue, so you can use it as a way to make useful points. Can you recall that dreadful stuff we used to use in classrooms that smelt of rancid fish and ammonia? In these sensitive days it’s all about glue sticks and hot glue guns. ‘Friends Sticking Together’ was the assembly theme I was given, with the biblical scene being that of King Darius, Daniel the prophet, and a lion’s den. Do read the book of the prophet Daniel - it’s told like a story and it’s all very exciting!
Unity is a loud bell that we must regularly ring at every level of society, and to which I think it’s very important to respond. ‘Let’s stick together’. Here in Haslemere Parish we all lead busy lives, which often means focusing more on what we need to get done, rather than who we need to be. If we are defined only by our actions and achievement (a rather first-world problem), then we shall fail to have anything to do with our neighbours. It’s a creeping problem we see every day.
This month reminds me that Sophie and I have been living here in the Haslemere community for five years. It was August 2019 when we arrived, just a month after Justin was ordained. What has been achieved since then? Well, much I would say. In fact, I keep a running list of all the big things achieved, which I use when making reports. Yet that is not the question I want asked or answered. Maybe a more searching question would be to ask, ‘who are we now?’
Togetherness is a lovely word. Jesus didn’t say it apparently (although please don’t think the practice of bible translation is an exact science), but you can be sure he meant it. It does not mean conformity or uniformity. Togetherness allows us to be different in many ways, but united in one most important way –that we are Christian people. From that common place we are then free to be the person we are, all different in talent, yet offering our gifts from the best motivesGod’s love to all people.
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:3-6)
Christian theology heavily underpins togetherness in its most basic forms. Christ died for all, so that all creation falls before that fact (Luke 3:5-7, Colossians 1:15). We all have our crosses to bear, our sins to confess and our blessings to receive (Romans 10:13). Each of us has our different talents and traits to bring (1 Corinthians 12:4-7). Our culture and origins may be quite different (Galatians 3:28, Colossians 3:11). Christ was incarnate in the flesh which we all share (Philippians 2:6-7). God’s Holy Spirit can dwell within any of us (1 Corinthians 6:19).
Much effort is required for togetherness, and we cannot ever claim to be fully complete. The dimensions of our growing ministry are all part of that. I’m fairly sure, and I hope you are too, that in the previous five years we have been very plentiful with the glue.
Let’s all be a bit sticky together.
May God bless you all,
Sunday 29th September
1:00 pm in The Link
Harvest Tide Carvery Luncheon
All proceeds in aid of the new
Link Community Hub
We are pleased to announce a 2 course lunch to follow the United Benefice Service at St Bartholomew’s and to celebrate harvest tide.
This will be a carvery style lunch which can be booked via our website www.haslemereparish.org/harvestlunch or by contacting Kari in the office for help with booking. 01428 644578
We would recommend a donation of around £15/head, this is entirely at your own discretion and can attract Gift Aid. Donations can be made when booking, or on the day. All donations gratefully received.
Link Community Hub Update
Last time we wrote we were rejoicing in our success with grant funding and signposting the forthcoming fund-raising campaign in the parish.
At the time of writing in early July parishioners have pledged the magnificent sum of £164,000 (including tax recovered) so this message comes with heartfelt thanks from the project team for this financial support and endorsement of the Hub. We have also secured £100,000 from Haslemere Town Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Fund, their largest grant to date and reflecting the significance of the Hub project to the community. Cathy and I attended the council meeting and were left in doubt as to how well the councillors regard the project, their support was unanimous.
So with £2.06M pledged or raised we are close to our target of £2.15M which is based on our current estimate of the project cost. This gives us the confidence to move forward with the detailed work which will underpin a firmer cost estimate prior to inviting tenders from prospective builders later in the year. We still hope to have the Hub in operation by the end of 2025.
We continue to make grant applications to fill the funding gap and we also encourage readers to think about events they could run to raise funds. Our thanks already to:
• The Winterbourne Singers for their Summer Serenade which raised over £700 and gave us a new anthem for the project (see later article)
• Summit youth group for their sponsored bike ride which raised £100
• The Mayor for adopting us as one of his charities during his year of office
• The Thursday morning coffee team who have collected over £1000 in donations
• Bridget Leary who is planning an auction in the autumn
• Frances Reincke and the flower teams for their plans for a flower festival across both churches in 2025
• Richard Parker (8am regular) for taking the lead with the Tiles Campaign -
watch out for more on this later in the year. If you would like to join Richard’s team please contact him at richard.m.parker@btinternet.com
If you would like to arrange an event please have a word with us.
Please also dig out those odd bits of foreign currency you may have lurking around and put in the boxes at the back of both churches. And finally, it has been a pleasure to provide a temporary home for Citizens Advice over recent weeks and we look forward to welcoming them back to their new home later next year.
With our thanks for your continued support and prayers
Andrew, Cathy and Debbie
Family fun at the Museum
Haslemere Museum has lots going on to keep the children amused during the school holidays.
The Museum's gardens are open daily (except Sundays and Mondays) and they'll be hosting a string of outdoor family events. On 8th August, Mill Cottage Farm is bringing some friendly animals to the Museum for children to meet. On 15th , there's a teddy bears’ picnic, and on 20th there’s an outdoor theatre performance of the story of Jemima Puddleduck.
The Museum also has a child-friendly exhibition about dinosaurs throughout August, alongside related activity sessions, including dinosaur-themed arts and crafts and dinosaur-themed LEGO building.
To find out more about the full programme of events, see the What’s On page of Haslemere Museum’s website - haslemeremuseum.co.uk/whatson.
David Simmons
Deputy Warden
David has been the deputy church warden for over three years now, before that he was sidesman at St C’s. Most of you will have seen him hard at work behind the computer, managing the livestreaming of services from both St Bart’s and St Christopher’s. However there’s much more to David than being good with computers.
Born and bred in Haslemere, David came into the world eight weeks early and he was christened within an hour of his birth as he wasn’t expected to survive, but he confounded the doctors and is now in his 70th year. His parents were married in St Christopher’s, so it was only natural that he too attended St C’s from an early age and one of his first memories took place one Christmas Day when he pushed his new toy fire engine up the aisle with its siren blaring in the middle of the service. David attended St Bartholomew’s School which then was housed in what is now the Link building and he remembers the headmistress Miss Knight very well as she told him that he couldn’t spell Simmonds correctly –David’s mother had to go in and correct Miss Knight that she was the one who couldn’t spell Simmons!
After attending Woolmer Hill school David started as an apprentice gardener and after a few years moved to Minsted House near Midhurst where he worked for an extremely eccentric family for two years where he witnessed some antics that now make for some hilarious stories – do ask him if you get the chance! He moved back to live with his parents and to help his mother who had broken her leg, and he still lives in the same house today. He has continued to work as a gardener all his life and is now semi-retired and maintains the garden at St Christopher’s.
David is also an amateur radio enthusiast which started back in the 1960’s when his father bought a short-wave radio and he regularly talks to and has met all sorts of interesting people from all over the world and in space – he has talked to the International Space Station many times. This passion for radio led to him being an engineer and now presenter for broadcast radio and he volunteers for Wey Valley and Delta radio stations. He has his own show every Sunday evening on Wey Valley radio from 7pm to 10pm. Many of us have been lucky enough to have requests played. Frances Reincke
Two sketches of St Bartholomew’s, 1870
Sometimes research does not always provide the evidence you are looking for but can throw up new material for another subject. This happened to me when researching in the Surrey History Centre Archive for evidence of an arch across St Bartholomew’s Children’s Chapel prior to its redevelopment in 1931. Instead, I found these two drawings of the interior of St Bartholomew’s made not long before its destruction in 1870. The initials in the bottom left-hand corner of the lower drawing are ‘E.S.’ I had never seen the drawings before, and this may well be the first time they have been published.
Pictures Copyright of Surrey History Centre - reproduced by permission of Surrey History Centre.
Stylistically, they are not unlike those described as ‘from a sketch by J. W. Penfold,1858’ (the future architect of the new church) reproduced in Bygone Haslemere (1914) and St Bartholomew’s Church, Haslemere (2007). Penfold had died in 1909, and one assumes his sketches were worked up by another hand (perhaps that of E.S.) for their publication in 1914. Both series of sketches have the figure of a little lady in a bonnet, presumably added for scale. As one would expect, the Penfold sketches are more precise and architectural, but the E.S. drawings give a better sense of just how claustrophobic and cluttered the old church had become. The little lady in the bonnet can just about peep over the top of the high box pews.
Looking west in the lower drawing, one can see the two wooden galleries with the stairs described by a contemporary as ‘a crooked little staircase between the two, which branched, halfway up, to the right and left.’ To the left was the ‘singing gallery’ accommodating the barrel organ and the school children, and to the right, seats were allotted to members of the congregation, as were the pews below. The font, as it would appear from a sketch by Penfold, stood under the right-hand gallery by the west door. The Men’s Gallery, invisible in this drawing, ran partway along the north wall and was entered by a door in the north east corner of the church.
Across the left-hand gallery is the carving of the Royal Arms ‘blazoned in colours’ which sadly, like so much else, did not survive the demolition. Under the Royal Arms would have been the entrance to the base of the tower which served as the vestry. The entire west wall was flush with the innermost part of the tower and the small lancet windows over the west door can just be seen through the righthand gallery. The south door was in much the same place as today, but I suspect both doors were used for entry and exit and for much needed light and air.
The upper drawing looking east shows the nave with the three-tiered reading desk and pulpit which was installed C.1836. The Clerk sat at the lower reading desk, and the Curate read from the second desk and gave the sermon. Clearly the pulpit was the most elevated part of the church, and sermons could last for up to an hour. Haslemere had no Rector until 1868. Ahead, the east wall ran across the length of the church and, having no chancel, the altar and rail projected into the body of the church. Above the altar was the large east window created from the 17th century Flemish glass now to be found in a light-box in the Children’s Chapel. Each panel had its own frame and thus they were able to encompass a large area. To the left side of the window are the Ten Commandments (the writing is just visible) with presumably the Creation story to the right-hand side.
On the 25th July 1870, following the instalment of the new Rector Sanders
Etheridge in 1868, the whole church was demolished, and very little now remains of the old building. The Flemish glass was removed and all but two panels divested of their frames and placed high in the new west end lancet windows. (Two with surviving frames were placed in the tower.) Even the small artifacts that would have given historical perspective and continuity to the building - the Royal Arms, the ancient oak chests, the old pitch pipe, the font, the sun-dial on the tower - found no place at all in the grand new scheme.
Fortunately for us, E.S. felt it important to leave a record of just how life at St Bartholomew’s used to be before the church gave way to a whole new era. After the initial shock it must surely have felt a change for the better, but sadly (and particularly perhaps for the ladies in their bonnets) not without some sacrifice and loss along the way.
Katherine Jessel
References
Bygone Haslemere. Swanton & Woods 1914
Of Bygones in Haslemere Told by the two K’s. n.d. but pre- WW1
Our Church Opening Times:
St Bartholomew's is open for private prayer each day, from 9:00am until 4:00pm.
St Christopher's Church is open for private prayer on Tuesdays-Fridays from 10:00am until 4:00pm.
The above may be adjusted should there be other events taking place.
D-Day Commemorations. June 2024
Richard Reincke
Photos: Richard Reinke, Kari Hayden, Paul Crook
“Blessent mon Coeur d’une langueur monotone” - the words from a poem by Verlaine - Chanson D’automne which was the signal that Operation Overlord would take place within 48 hours. On that morning of swirling sea mists and low cloud one of the greatest amphibious and airborne operations in history would emerge from the channel, the throbbing of marine engines on the surface and the rattle and thunder of the bombers and airborne divisions of paratroopers above.
80 years later, on a dull and misty morning in Haslemere the church doors of St Christophers creaked open to reveal a wonderful display of photos, films and narratives of that fateful day which finally turned the tide of World War II. This exhibition was organised from scratch within two months. This is a huge thank you to all those volunteers who made it happen in such a short time.
The good ship St Christopher’s was once again adorned on the outside with the cascades of poppies from the tower, and on the inside with the giant 8ft diameter poppy wreath and the curtain of poppies over the west window.
Five of the eight windows were cleverly blocked out with large photos of scenes from each of the Normandy beaches used for the landings, Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword (photos provided by the Imperial War Museum). On each sill there were pebbles representing the beaches and thanks to Justin, little crosses strewn across the pebbles by pupils from the eight schools who attended the display, as a symbol of all those brave souls who fell there on that morning of the 6th June 1944. A large poppy was created and covered in little hearts by the children to show their gratitude for those who gave their lives on that day in 1944. It was as if you were looking through the church windows out onto those beaches where the momentous events of that day unfolded. The stunning artwork and design
were all the inspiration of Sahran Abeysundara, an absolutely key part of the commemorations and enabled visitors to relive that day. Huge thanks to John Lloyd of Blue Dot Display for printing and mounting the photos. Another window was devoted to Robert Lochner, the inventor of the Mulberry harbour, who lived in Haslemere in Rat’s Castle where there is a pond on which he carried out all the experiments necessary to test his invention. The HTC lent us a picture of HMS Haslemere to be part of the exhibition. This ship was an escort for one of the flotillas to the Normandy landings and then became part of ‘Mulberry B’ after arrival at Gold beach.
We also offer our great thanks to Richard Parker for providing the uniform of his mother who was Chief Officer WRNS (the lady’s equivalent to lieutenant commander), who used her unique combination of organisational and maritime skills to conduct the secret operation of planning and managing all the actions which were to be carried out before, during and after D-Day from the underground headquarters in Southwick Castle.
Thanks to Craig Hills a large screen was put up in front of the altar and old war footage courtesy of the Imperial War Museum was shown as well as educational documentaries for the eight schools who attended the exhibition. Thanks also to David Simmons for the songs of the era which rang out all day in between the showing of the films.
One of the ‘pieces de resistances’ was a giant map of the south coast of England, the Channel and the Normandy landing beaches displayed on the chancel, also created by Sahran. The flags of Great Britain, the United States and Canada adorned the choir pews. On the altar itself, poppy wreaths were laid by the Royal British Legion, the Parish and the Royal School.
On the 6th June itself the RAF came and set up a replica of their campaign table to tell their story of the incredible deceptions created by them to successfully fool the enemy into thinking that the invasion would take place far away from the Normandy beaches.
Across the road RT Mechanics owner Russell put up a huge display of illustrations of scenes from D-Day done by the eight local schools showing what incredible
perception and imagination those children have to create such images.
Very special thanks also to Jock Gardner and Justin M-C for recounting the ‘how’ and the ‘why’ of D-Day to all the schools who attended during the three main days of the exhibition. This was especially important so that the younger generations were able to understand the significance of the events, the human cost and the incredible organisation required in the different phases of the campaign - secrecy, preparation, deception, execution and consolidation. The reason was, of course, to defeat dictatorship and oppression and uphold freedom and democracy. By the end of D-Day 150,000 troops had been landed in Normandy and bridgeheads had been established from which the next phases of defeating the Nazis were launched.
Attendance was very impressive, 800 people passed through the church on the 6th of June itself and about 1,500 people altogether.
On the evening of the 6th June The Haslemere Town Council organised a party on the green with songs from the era, a food truck and a bar (including Overlord beer locally brewed by Langhams) which ran out of drink within 30 minutes, a reflection of the good attendance by the people of Haslemere and the enthusiasm with which it was greeted. Luckily the proximity of Majestic meant that the drink was flowing again within 10 minutes.
Zander Urquhart climbed the tower of the church so that we below could enjoy the plaintive tones of the lone piper in the dying rays of the sun. He played again on the green as the beacon was lit along with thousands across the country and finally a trumpeter played the last post.
Thanks to the generosity of all the visitors, the RBL took more money on the card reader in the church than any other collection that day in the southeast division. Haslemere remembers and remembers well.
Parish Flower Teams Outing to Chichester Cathedral Flower Festival.
Frances Reincke
Both flower teams visited the biennial flower festival at Chichester Cathedral on 7th June. Unfortunately all four car loads were unable to actually meet up at the same time but we all very much enjoyed our visit. For the first time the festival was Oasis (floral foam) free which is something both churches in Haslemere Parish have been for the best part of two years now. This means that the mechanics of flower arranging can be a bit challenging - so there was a lot of peering and inspecting of how these spectacular arrangements were done! We all enjoyed lunch in the new refectory in the Cathedral.
Photos – Linda Heugh and Frances Reincke
The Den
It is difficult to believe we have come to the end of another year. We have had a great Summer Term and despite the weather, we have tried our best to get the children outside as much as possible. We try to support all aspects of their health (spiritual, mental, emotional, social, physical, environmental etc) with a range of discussions and activities.
On the 15th May we welcomed back the Rocksteady Music School who visited us last summer and kindly offered us another free session with their band teachers. We split them into two groups, and each took turns to be with the Rocksteady team and learn different instruments and play together as a band. While one group was being all ‘rock n’ roll’, the others played some fun games outside and then went upstairs for some discussion time about worship songs - what they are, and why they are
important in our faith. We challenged the older group to come up with their own worship song. To help inspire them we listened to a song of their choice (‘10,000
Reasons’) and Face
Timed Imi whose family is part of the Parish and who is studying music composition (including Christian music) at university, and she gave them some tips. They did an amazing job and created their own worship rap song and one of the girls wrote a beautiful song that we read out.
The Den braved the heavy rain on Wednesday 22nd May for a Pentecost-themed session at the Vaughan’s House. Activities included games, making kites from recycled material, and fire pit building with Lara to toast marshmallows. This proved to be a challenge as it rained so hard it had to be done under a
tarp - but we will certainly remember it! After some kite launching and s’more-making over the fire, we discussed what Pentecost is, what the Holy Spirit is and how flying a kite in the wind reminds us of how the Holy Spirit can work in our lives. The fire also reminded us of the Holy Spirit as it is described as a fire in the bible, as well as wind, water (which was coming down on us in copious amounts) and a dove, to name a few.
Our next session saw a great improvement in the weather and focused on ‘The Good Samaritan’ and ‘Prejudice’. We started off with a treasure hunt around the church grounds and then had a go with Lara’s home-made David & Goliath sling shots (with foil balls). We chatted about prejudice and discrimination and how in Jesus’s time there was also prejudice (such as between Jews and Samaritans and towards women) and how Jesus challenged prejudices in word and by example. The Good Samaritan parable teaches us to challenge prejudices and show love to all in our lives. We gave out WWJD bracelets (What Would Jesus Do), discussed what they mean and how Jesus can be our guide whenever we face a difficult situation and then ended with a prayer. Lastly, we had a fun ‘Good Samaritan’ themed relay race!
The following week the sun was out again, which was ideal as we had our Pool Party at Claire and Peter Gratton’s house. We started off with a game of human battleships (using re-usable water balloons) and then discussed baptism and the baptism of Jesus, which Rev. Justin and Verity acted out in the pool with Sue as narrator and Lara as the voice of God (and thrower of doves at Justin’s head!). The kids then enjoyed free play in the pool.
We had some fun at the Tennis Club the following week. Josh, the head youth coach, gave us some tennis lessons. In return the kids cleared the club seating
area and courts of pinecones, which the club battles with, and picked up litter from the surrounding recreation ground. It is great for us to be building these relationships in the local community and making a difference to the environment, which is the fifth mark of mission. Just like we have done with the cricket club and bowls club, we now have a wonderful relationship with the tennis club and hopefully it will lead to more sessions with them in the future.
For the last session of the term The Den had their summer party. The session began with fete-themed games for the children to choose from, such as a coconut shy, tin can alley, wheel of fortune, hook the duck and a hula challenge, together with a prayer box craft and face painting. Next, we had some group games which included water balloon hot potato and water pistol man hunt which went down well in the hot weather. Lara Butler then gathered them all around for her ‘Backyard Bug Experience’, where they got to meet some of her very unusual pets such as a scorpion, millipede and tarantula. Lastly, we ended with party food and a donut on a string eating challenge. It was certainly a fun way to end the term!
OTHER DEN NEWS:
On Monday 1st July, a judge came around to look at St Bartholomew’s cemetery as part of the South and Southeast in Bloom competition (see Churchyard Jottings for more information). Four of The Den kids from St Barts school represented the group and showed the judge their wild area in the cemetery and the Derby Road Verge wild garden. They walked the judge around and pointed out the trees they had planted and wildflowers they had helped seed, all of which support the local environment. Using printed photo montages as a reference, they also showed the judge how the project has progressed since the first seed planting in October 2022, and the work they had been a part of each year, all the way through to their most recent efforts at Easter. A special thank you to Peter Clarke and Claire and Gareth Matthes for all of their efforts with this project and being so supportive of the
Den kids’ involvement.
Sunday 7th July was the RNLI special 10am Family Service and The Den braved the rain and did a car wash fundraiser. Combined with the cake stall and general donations, £650 was raised! This is an incredible amount, and we are so grateful to the congregation, the RNLI team and volunteers who helped, and to the children who got stuck in.
Summit
We continue to have around 12 young people in the group, meeting once a month.
As with The Den, we have tried to get Summit outside as much as possible this summer term.
On Wednesday 12th June, Summit had a very special session at Frensham Sailing Club learning how to sail a dinghy. After some instruction on land, they were sent out on the water in pairs. They all did incredibly well and even those who were nervous at first, built up the courage to have a go. Special thanks go to Victoria Vaughan who offered her sailing skills and got into a dinghy to support two of the young people.
At the July get-together, Summit undertook a bike ride in aid of the Link Project and £100 was raised. Although we were a small group due to a clash with a school residential trip, they still did the Parish proud. We cycled around several churches in Haslemere and ended up in Pizza Express as an end of term treat. Martin Godet, a Bikeability instructor, gave them a little refresher on bike maintenance and road/cycling safety before we set off. Our route took us from St Bartholomew’s Church, past Our Lady of Lourdes, St Christopher’s Church, the Methodist Church and St Stephen’s Church and back around along Kings Road to Haslemere town centre. Thanks go to Martin Godet for making the ride possible and guiding us safely around the route, and to Victoria Vaughan who led at the front and set the pace. Last but not least, to Sue, Eva and Lara, who were in the assistance vehicle and on hand with
drinks and snacks. This will be Summit’s last session before the summer holidays and a great way to end the school year.
Young Leaders Group
Yasmin & Phoebe Ingram continue to represent Haslemere Parish at the Young Leaders Forum sessions run by the Guildford Diocese. They have an upcoming forum during the summer at Willow Grange with Bishop Andrew. We have invited Lucy Patrick (The Den/Summit) to join the Young Leaders group as she is interested in being a voice for the youth and getting more involved in the church. We welcome any youth who has a heart for this work to be involved.
We would like to say a very big thank you to everyone who has helped us at The Den and Summit this past school year and to all those who have hosted some of our special events.
Sue & Verity
Photos by Shuna & Verity
For more details of The Den and Summit contact: Verity Sutherland, Children & Families Worker (Older Children) Email: Children@haslemereparish.org
In My Garden
Philip Duly
One of the pleasures of being asked to water a neighbour’s garden is the opportunity this provides to have a wander around the garden and admire their plants and design schemes. While I try hard to avoid the deadly sin of envy, one cannot help noticing and admiring plants that you may have chosen not to grow and which are looking splendid in the garden you are watering.
Earlier in the summer, a dear friend of mine asked me to help care for the garden in her absence. I was pleased their holiday coincided with some fine weather. I had great fun watering the garden and, in particular, a stunning basket of French Marigolds, a member of the Tagetes genus. I am pleased to see that these beautiful bedding plants have made something of a comeback in popularity in recent years after a long period of time when they were considered too bright and gaudy for domestic gardens. Moreover, snooty gardeners have abhorred orange flowered plants for many years which may have added to the unpopularity of all Tagetes.
Now back in fashion, you see them everywhere and they really brighten up pots, borders and hanging baskets. These easy to grow, longlasting annuals come in a variety of vibrant shades of yellow, red, orange and ochre. Their larger relation, the African Marigold, is equally attractive if you have sufficient space. My favourite varieties of French Marigold are the Durango Red, Yellow Gate and the intriguingly named Disco Queen. The truth is I love these plants and yet I haven’t grown them for at least 30 years. That must change!
St Bartholomew’s
C of E Primary School
Our time at St Bart’s
Wilfred – Head Boy 2023-2024
My time at St Bartholomew’s started in Y4 where I was welcomed warmly. From then on, I have represented this school in football, running, athletics, netball and more. This year I had the honour of being appointed Head Boy and have represented the school in ways like a cooking competition and much more. This amazing school has readied all of the Y6s to live their life in all its fullness.
Sophia Young – Head Girl 2023-2024
St Bartholomew’s is a great school. During my time here I have had many opportunities to represent this school - district sports, confederation sports, netball competitions and attending meetings with schools across the confederation. It’s also been a great honour getting to show prospective parents our great school and all we have to offer.
At our school we follow the values of Believe, Achieve, Respect, Trust and Succeed to help us. We have a wide range of topics throughout the years at St Bart’s, each one very enjoyable and engaging - encouraging us to flourish.
I wish all of the future children of the school good luck.
Wine Jelly with Red Fruit
Serves 4
Ingredients:
½ sachet powdered gelatine
½ pint water
½ pint red wine
1 tablet raspberry jelly
½ pint ruby port
1lb. frozen or fresh mixed red fruits
Method:
Sprinkle the gelatine over a little water and allow to swell. Heat the remaining water and wine and make the jelly in the usual way. Stir in the gelatine and warm the mixture, stirring until this has fully dissolved. Add the fruit and port and any juice from the fruit. Pour into a clear glass dish and allow to set. Enjoy!
Linda Donaldson
Churchyard Jottings
Philip Hunt
By far the most important news this time was the visit of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) judge to the main churchyard at St Bartholomew’s on Monday 1 July. This was on the occasion of the judging of the churchyard for the South and South East in Bloom competition. There is a special churchyards category, which includes both open and closed churchyards, on the basis that they provide important green spaces and need to be managed. We were supported on the day by Ann Hayward, who is Waverley Borough Council’s Green Spaces Contracts Officer. Ann was instrumental in encouraging us to enter the competition, given that we already had volunteers who helped to manage the churchyard and increasingly others from the wider community too. It has also been a very collaborative effort with children from The Den youth group who, with help from parishioners like Peter Clarke, have transformed the verge alongside Derby Road (see photograph courtesy of Verity Sutherland) and created the ‘wild area’ near to The Link.
The judging lasted 1 hour and 20 minutes as the judge so enjoyed himself that he stretched the customary one hour allocated. This allowed plenty of time for comments and a leisurely walk around and discussion. The whole occasion was greatly enhanced by the inclusion of children from The Den. The Headteacher at St Bartholomew’s Primary School kindly consented to release the children, who had been involved in the churchyard activity, so that they could meet the judge. Indeed, the children were so animated that they insisted that the judge also looked into Derby Road churchyard, so that he could see the flowers that they had planted around the grave of John Tyndall, which has recently been renovated.
Verity needs special thanks for handling the children’s involvement in the judging process so effectivelyit was as though it had been choreographed! This photograph shows the look of pride on the faces of the children when standing with the judge. David Simmons represented the church as both Deputy Churchwarden and a churchyard volunteer.
We do, of course, have no idea how we have scored in the judging but it is definitely the taking part that counts. Hopefully, the verdict will contain some helpful comments and point the way for the future. There is an Awards Ceremony at RHS Wisley on Friday 20 September and it is hoped we will have a small number of tickets.
I am also most grateful to those who turned up and worked hard on Saturday 29 June in getting the churchyard looking its best, before the judge’s visit. My thanks go to Geoff Martin, David Simmons, Dorothea Nattrass, Roger Davis and my wife, Margaret. Work also included clearing the whole area around The Link car park and the eastern side of the church along Church Hill/High Lane.
In a previous article, I mentioned that a number of graves in the main churchyard had been subject to subsidence. One grave had such a void that it was a trip hazard. That was subsequently filled in and the earth compacted. It has now benefited from a membrane and has been dressed with stone chippings, making for a much improved appearance (see before and after photographs).
Families@4
Children & Families
This half term we have enjoyed sessions covering: Jesus Ascends and the Holy Spirit Comes and The Lost Sheep. At Families@4 the children can explore the theme, first through creative craft and then through a lively talk combining song, prayer and exploration of the biblical themes. After the service we then bundle into the Link for a wonderful shared children’s tea - when the Link comes to life with laughter and fellowship.
Below is a finger kite for Jesus Ascends:
For the last four years Families@4 have sponsored a child called Nelson through the charity Compassion. The Compassion charity is an international children’s charity, founded in 1952. Jesus is at the centre of all that Compassion does showing God’s love to children in poverty.
Our sponsored child Nelson lives in Nicaragua with his parents and siblings. Our families donations help Nelson to attend lessons, as well as help towards medical care. Compassion works in partnership with the local churches ensuring that everything is tailored to the child’s situation.
We receive regular letters from Nelson telling us about his life and how he is doing at school, and I write to Nelson updating him on the activities in our church and my own life and family.
If you would like to find out more about Compassion please visit their website: www.compassionuk.org to learn about the important work they do to release children from poverty.
Sunday Morning Families
In May we had a special session about Eco Church! As a group we thought about God’s wonderful creation and how we are entrusted, by God, to look after His world and everything within it. The session focused especially on birds (the children were very adept at naming the photos of birds that I displayed!) and for the craft we made homemade bird feeders out of fir cones and suet! In June we had fun building the walls of Jericho and then knocking them down quite spectacularly! After which the children created their own musical instruments to represent those used by God’s people to knock down the walls of the city.
First Steps
As ever we have been having great fun over the past few months at First Steps as I’m sure Dorothea can testify in this photo! If you hadn’t guessed Dorothea was expertly acting out the part of the whale in the story of Jonah. We have heard wonderful stories by Zoe who told the children about the Prodigal Son and the Wise and Foolish Builders and Ruth gave a wonderful re-telling of the paralysed man being lowered through the roof by his friends, to be healed by Jesus.
A big thank you to all of the First Steps volunteers who each week cover roles such as: registration, the craft table, the older children activity table, refreshments, Circle Time, talking to the carers and so many other activities that just happen as we are such a great enthusiastic team who support each other. The team are very excited to have welcomed the farm back to First Steps, for the third year running on Monday July 15th, our last session before the summer break. The children (and adults) enjoyed the wide array of animals ranging from small horses, guinea pigs, chickens and even the odd tortoise to name but a few! After the fun of the farm we all gathered together for a shared picnic followed by the presentation of books to those children leaving us to move on to school or nursery in the Autumn term.
Written by Victoria Martin, photos taken by Verity Sutherland, Sophie Bessant and Victoria Martin
Parish News in Pictures
18th
June - Mary Kirkman’s 103rd Birthday.
On Tuesday 18th June a large group of friends and neighbours sang Happy Birthday to Mary Kirkman on her 103rd birthday. Mary was presented with a bouquet of garden flowers by Clive Hawkins.
Frances Reinke
5th to 7th July - Haslemere Fringe Festival
Although a very damp festival, the Fringe was once again a spectacular line up of musicians, comedians, poets and more. The sun came out on Saturday afternoon and the excellent line up drew in the crowds despite the weather. The festival is organised and run by volunteers, showing once again the amazing community spirit we are blessed with in this town. Many thanks to all concerned. Jane Slevin
Photos by Kari Hayden and Dominic Slevin.
Photos by Lucy Manley-Cooper.
July 14th - European Cup Final
Live on Lion Green
Whatever your views on football and the sad fact that England lost, there was unbelievably atrocious behaviour of a small hooligan element at the end of the evening. Our mayor and council are to be applauded for this event, put on at very short notice, at the request of the many Haslemere fans. For the main part an exciting and enjoyable sharing of the national game was enjoyed on Lion Green. Jane Slevin
July 14th - Preparing for St Christopher’s Tea Party
Whilst the nation groaned over the football, St Christopher’s was as ever preparing for another social event and erecting the new marquee in preparation for the tea party on July 16th. Sadly weather kept the event inside but this did not stop a good attendance. The team at St Christopher’s once again worked so hard to reach out and share with the community. Many blessings to all the volunteers who work so regularly and so hard to share God’s Holy Spirit. Jane Slevin
July
Organised by Lucy Manley Cooper, the first of two very important parties to wish Don Cremer well as he goes to relax and enjoy time with his daughter.
Putting up the marquee - Photos by Lucy Manley Cooper
16th - A Farewell Tea Party for Don Cremer.
Farewell and Godspeed to Don Cremer
Don and his family moved to Haslemere in 1963 after retiring from a life of service as an officer in the Royal Navy. This service continued with much voluntary work in our parish, culminating in his five years as Churchwarden at St. Bartholomew’s, an arduous and legal position.
When news of his leaving the town to live with his daughter Rebecca and son-inlaw William, Lucy Manley Cooper decided to organise a party for him. The photos show what fun it was— and when Lucy and her helpers organise a party then it gets organised! His daughter Rebecca accompanied him
The following Sunday morning Don, Becca and Will joined us again at St. Christopher’s for the Praying on Sunday Service. This is led by lay people, often Richard Reincke, and is increasingly popular. The maritime-based hymns could have been chosen especially for Don and probably were.
Rector Chris spoke movingly of the change Don is facing, but for Don this is always accompanied by service. He is an example for us all and we will all miss him. He presented Don with an envelope and Richard put a smile on his face when presenting him with some fine wines.
There followed another party.
God be with you Don.
Frankie Gaiter Tea Party Photos - Liz Cook
Gottesman
I recently went on a sightseeing holiday to Vienna. I stayed in an area near the Rudesheim Parish church and on the tram route 49 which took me about 15 minutes to reach the Volkstheatre in the heart of the city, close to Praying on Sunday - Photos by Francis
Postcard to the Parish
Greetings from Vienna
the Parliament building. I explored many streets during the course of the week and saw the preparations being made at the Town Hall for a film festival. It is easy getting around Vienna on account of the trams and the metro - similar to the London underground. Many of the buildings bear magnificent carvings, sometimes of cherubs. I visited several churches, including the Augustinian, the Maria lif, Maria Treu, Votive church, St Annes and St Michael's, the latter is very similar to a British church the way it is run and is in the care of the Salvatorian Fathers. The church has a comprehensive website. Several of the churches hold organ recitals. I also visited a few museums, one of these is the Kunsthistoriches which is similar to our British Museum and the V&A rolled into one. Spent around 5 hrs in the museum and was sure I had seen everything - found out I hadn't. Visited the Architekturzentrum museum and saw the summer exhibition on tourism in its various forms. I also visited the Imperial palace of Hofburg (pictured above), called Sisi (the Empress Elizabeth was affectionately known as Sisi) and admired the various rooms, not unlike our Windsor Castle and Osborne House in its richness. The dining room is gorgeous and the table is dressed for the dessert course. Stunning chandeliers too. I also visited the Kaiserliche Schatzkammer and admired the lovely treasures there including copes, crowns, some monstrances and a tapestry of a coronation. The piece de resistance was the crown of the Holy Roman Empire and the Austrian Imperial Crown. Most of the museums situated in the Museums quarter - not unlike Covent Garden Piazza in style with street theatre, cafes and plenty of places to sit, plus the tourist information centre and bookshop A good place to people watch. The weather often hot and humid.
On one evening I attended a concert at the Palais Palffy with its beautiful chandeliers. The programme included the music of Mozart and Strauss"The Marriage of Figaro", "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" - and included ballet dancing. The solo violinist played on his violin of more than 300 years old (Milan). The evening finished with the Radetzky March. Earlier that day I enjoyed refreshments at the cafe at the Hotel Sacher; the Sacher torte and cream and a soft drink. All too soon it was time to return home. Took the underground line 3 then linked up with the City Airport Train to bring me into the heart of the airport and flew home that evening.
Linda Stevens
Postcard to the Parish
Greetings from Corfu
This was our first trip abroad with the kids and they could not have been more excited! Corfu is a beautiful island with mountains and olive groves as well as stunning sandy beaches and crystal clear waters.
With a 6 and an 8 year old in tow, a lot of our time was spent by the pool or on the beach. Finley tried snorkelling for the first time and absolutely loved being able to swim alongside the fish in the ocean. Caitlin spent most of her time going up and down the slides in the pool!
We did manage a day trip over to Corfu Town though, which was a fabulous day wandering along the windy cobbled lanes, spending pocket money on souvenirs and looking out for places I might recognise from The Durrells. We visited the old and the new fort, saw some people dressed up in traditional clothing singing in the street and had lunch in a lovely little taverna. Then we headed back to the hotel to cool off in the sea!
Kari Hayden
Cyprus, in the footsteps of Paul, Barnabas and other saints.
Rev. Mary Bowden
As some people in the parish will remember, I love leading pilgrimages and early in April, while Glasgow where I live now was waiting for spring, I flew off to Cyprus, where the temperature varied between 20°C and 30°C and the sky and sea were varying but always bright shades of blue. This was my latest opportunity to work with McCabe Travel, leading pilgrimages alongside local guides, providing opportunities for reflection and worship as we travel and generally looking after the welfare of the group. Participation in worship is optional, but it was lovely that everyone in the Cyprus group did take part, with Compline particularly welcomed as a way of closing busy days of travel and sightseeing. And our eucharist on a clifftop in an ancient ruined church and a very high wind was definitely one to remember.
The Cyprus itinerary is part of McCabe’s diversification, acutely necessary with the Holy Land inaccessible for the foreseeable future but also a good thing in itself as it provides the chance to engage with a wide range of Christian traditions. Although our pilgrimage was headlined as “in the steps of Paul and Barnabas” we discovered that many other early Christians had connections with the island, including Lazarus, who left Jerusalem because of the threat of persecution and became the first bishop of Larnaca, where tradition says he was visited by John, Mary and Luke. We visited his church in the centre of the town: full of icons and candles and people coming and going to pray, it provided a welcome contrast with the few, somewhat sad, churches remaining in North Cyprus where we had spent the previous few days.
That said, North Cyprus had other highlights, including the spot at ancient Salamis where Paul and Barnabas first stepped ashore on Cyprus, a ruined C6 basilica church surrounded by olive trees and mulberries with a wonderful mosaic featuring pilgrim sandals, and a monastery dedicated to St Andrew, on the very easternmost tip of the island. A very different highlight was the Famagusta ghost town of Varosha, a prosperous resort area developed in the 50s and 60s and abandoned by its Greek owners when Cyprus was divided in 1974. The canny tourist authorities have opened it as an attraction and we wandered the atmospheric streets of crumbling concrete hotels and shops, spotting advertisements in dated typefaces for BEA, BOAC and long forgotten beauty products.
Cyprus occupies a unique strategic position in the eastern Mediterranean, and as we travelled we came to realise more and more what the impact of that has been on its people, who have almost never been without an occupying power. Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Knights Templar, Lusignan kings, Venetians, Ottomans and eventually the British are just some of these and since 1974, after a short period of independence, the island has been divided by the Green Line, between the very Euro-centric south and the much less prosperous north, effectively under the control of Turkey. One result of this complicated history is that there are amazing sites to visit dating from almost every period and in many different styles - walled cities, churches that have become mosques and others that remain Christian, Roman villas with brilliant mosaics and, amongst the classical ruins in Paphos, a pillar where tradition says Paul was scourged by the Romans. There is no biblical record of this, nor of many other events claimed by Christian tradition on the island, but one of the opportunities a pilgrimage offers is to reflect on such stories and see what we can learn from them about faith and ourselves, asking not if they are true but how they are true,
and respecting our predecessors who have believed in them down the centuries. We had a great time doing this in Cyprus, combined with plenty of sightseeing, good food, and good company.
After getting back I worked with McCabe on the itinerary for next year, now refocused to take account more explicitly of the many saints associated with the island and spend more time in the beautiful Troodos mountains, visiting painted churches and monasteries which are still places of living prayer and worship. This will be a two centre holiday, staying in 4* hotels on the coast with time to swim and relax and enjoy each other’s company as well as exploring the history, culture and spirituality of Cyprus with the help of experienced local guides. If you are interested in joining me, or to talk about pilgrimage more generally, please do get in touch (marybowden753@gmail.com, 07921 315894) or have a look at https:// www.mccabe-travel.co.uk/pilgrimages/saints-of-cyprus/ .
The Hunter Centre Services
When you drive up from the village of Grayswood into Haslemere, and look to your right as you near the town centre, you may have noticed the Marjorie Gray Hall set back from the road with a yellow notice outside saying, ‘The Hunter Centre.’ It is a small building, but inside there are people with very large hearts, their aim being to reach out to people in Waverley and the surrounding areas who have various forms of dementia, also offering support for carers and information sessions for those who wish to understand more about dementia.
Dr Anne Hunter, was an Associate Specialist in Neurology at Holy Cross Hospital in Haslemere and developed a special interest in all kinds of dementia. With her husband, Brian, and the help of Cora Phillips, wife of the retired Rev Philips, they co-founded the Alzheimer’s Society in 1979. In 1993, two Haslemere Health visitors recognised the need for local support for people with dementia and those who cared for them at home. Dr Anne Hunter, a member of St Christopher’s Church, guided a steering group, resulting in the opening of the Alzheimer’s Day Centre in 1994. However, in 2017, the Alzheimer’s Society, which funded the centre, sadly decided to close it to concentrate their funds on research instead. Thankfully, local residents campaigned and managed to raise funds and set up a
a new charity to run the Day Centre, with its own board of trustees. It was reopened in July 2017 as The Hunter Centre, named after Dr Anne Hunter, who died just two years ago at the grand age of 96! Jennifer Benson, whom we are privileged to have as one of our team who lead the services, was very involved in those early days of the Centre both as a volunteer and on the management committee.
Throughout this time, Elaine Clement has been the Operations Manager and the Centre, in her capable hands and that of her wonderful, committed staff, has grown from strength to strength. There is an exceptionally caring ambiance in the Centre, radiating from Elaine and her team of staff and volunteers, many of whom have also worked there for many years, so are very experienced in giving such care. It is a warm, friendly and secure environment and everyone seems relaxed and happy, once they are familiar with the staff and events of the day. It also means that their carers have times of respite once or twice a week.
A few years ago, the Deputy Manager, Denise Sawczuk, approached one of the volunteers from our Church, Ros Webb, suggesting that it would be good to have a regular monthly Christian service at the Centre. Elaine agreed to this. Ros, with Rev Justin Manley-Cooper, the Associate Minister at St Christopher’s and St Bart’s churches, with a couple of us from the congregations, started to lead short services on the second Thursday of each month. These were based on different themes and included hymns, readings, stories, poems and prayers, as well as a homily, ably led by Rev Justin. After a few months of trying to sing the hymns unaccompanied, Michael Bawtree joined us and now plays the piano for the hymns and music after the services, which is greatly enjoyed by us all. Music is known to help calm people with dementia.
As the visitors to The Hunter Centre on Thursdays haven’t specifically requested to take part in the services, we keep the content relatively simple and relaxed. Any of them, who would prefer not to join in, can sit at the end of the hall maybe making a jigsaw puzzle with a member of staff, looking at a book, or walking in the beautiful garden outside, but this rarely happens.
The aims of our services are to remind everyone of the loving presence of God in their lives, to give thanks for His goodness and to trust Him through the difficulties they all face each day. Also to know that they are loved, accepted and needed by God, and that, however small they feel their contributions, they will be used by God to further His love in our world.
Over the years our team who regularly take the church services has grown in number and we all really enjoy and look forward to our visits. We are greeted by the visitors and staff with warmth and recognition and most of those at the services join in the well-known hymns and prayers. Each member of our team chooses from month to month either to welcome, introduce the theme, lead or engage, read the Bible, take prayers, maybe read a poem or tell a story, or just support us by their presence. Our own confidence has grown as we have learned the format, got to know one another better and those who regularly attend or help at the centre on Thursdays. Each service follows a relatively similar pattern as we feel that people with dementia find too much change unsettling. Once every couple of months we meet with Rev Justin as a team, to plan our services, as well as those at Redcot, Oak Hall and Wispers Village, which are also held each month. We believe that God is blessing our monthly services and as we chat with the visitors and staff over a cup of tea and cake afterwards, we are greeted with warmth and appreciation. It really is a pleasure to get to know each person individually.
If anyone reading this article would like to join us at any of our services or take part, please let us know, as I’m sure, like us, you’ll find it a blessing, as much as we trust it is a blessing to those we serve.
Shirley Bawtree
If you would like to get in touch with Elaine Clement, the Manager, her contact details are below.
www.thehuntercentre.co.uk
Tel: 01428 654710
KINGS WORLD TRUST FOR CHILDREN (INDIA)
INVESTITURE CEREMONY 2024
Leadership is action not position
The investiture ceremony stands as a pivotal moment within our school community, marking the formal induction of our newly elected Student Council. It symbolizes a profound act of entrusting faith and hope in their leadership. For each student assuming a role of authority, it becomes a moment of profound pride, recognizing the responsibility they now bear in steering the course of school's activities. We believe in their capacity to lead and inspire, knowing that they hold the key to shaping a promising future for us all.
The programme commenced with the invocation of divine blessings, beginning with School Prayer Song followed by Prayer and School Anthem. The programme was presided over by Ms. Agi, Director, Kings School.
Delegating responsibilities and granting authority to children is crucial as it cultivates lifelong leadership skills while instilling them with a sense of accountability. In anticipation of students' future well-being and to foster leadership abilities, Kings School has established the student council. Proudly led by the School Head Boy, the School Council walked with determination, accompanied by the School Head Girl, Sports Captains, Assistant Head Boy, Assistant Head Girl, Cultural Secretaries, House Captains, and Vice Captains of Houses, followed by a team of dedicated prefects.
MS Agi, the Director, Dr.Felix, the Principal, ceremoniously pinned badges onto the newly elected school council members. Mr. Joshua, the Vice Principal of NonAcademics, handed over the flags to the new leaders, symbolizing the transfer of responsibility and entrusting them with the duties and privileges of their respective positions. With great pride, the captains accepted their badges, each adorned with their respective House flags. It was a moment of immense pride for these emerging leaders.
Mr. Joshua administered the oath, wherein the leaders pledged to lead by example, nurturing an atmosphere of respect, inclusivity, and collaboration, ensuring that every voice is not only heard but also valued and committed to upholding the school's values and principles and vowed to contribute positively to its continuous growth and success.
Ms. Agi in her speech highlighted that leaders are chosen for their unique strengths and must lead with humility, love, and care, embodying these qualities in their actions and decisions.
The unforgettable investiture ceremony drew to a close, brimming with hope and anticipation for the journey ahead for these young leaders. The event concluded with the Cultural Secretary delivering a vote of thanks, followed by the singing of the Indian National Anthem.
May the legacy of this Investiture Ceremony serve as a beacon, inspiring the students to reach greater heights!
Book Review - James
Contributed by - Charlotte & Emily
James
This month's book is one of my favourite reads so far in 2024! I first heard of Percival Everett when his book The Trees was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2022, but it was only when the adaptation of his book Erasure won an Oscar (the film was called American Fiction) that I became fully aware of his talent. Everett is a Professor of English at the University of Southern California and clearly enjoys experimenting with genre - I’ve just finished reading a book by him called Assumption which is more of a psychological thriller! James is Everett’s most recent book, it came out in March this year and it’s a retelling of Huckleberry Finn. I actually hadn’t read Huckleberry Finn so it was interesting to have my first introduction to it through the eyes of ‘Jim’, Huck’s enslaved companion. Percival Everett writes with amazing clarity and urgency and from page one I was swept along on a wild ride. Expectations are subverted as it turns out that James’ slow and basic style of speech is actually a front, he’s incredibly erudite and articulate, but keeps that well-hidden when in front of the white townspeople. His evenings are spent teaching enslaved children how to blend in and survive in the hostile world they’re trapped in.
When James finds himself on the run he is joined by Huck, and the contrast between Huck’s romantic adventure and James’s battle to avoid capture is stark. The story ends in an exciting climax and while nothing is certain, you’re left with a glimmer of hope for James’ future.
I loved this book for its brilliant storytelling as well as being an incredibly important examination of one of America’s most beloved books.
James is available in hardback at £20 from The Haslemere Bookshop
What’s on at Haslemere Museum
Exhibition: Stitching Stories Haslemere Museum Samplers
Until 31 August, Tue-Sat, 10:00-17:00
Showcasing some of the museum’s beautifully embroidered but often unseen collection of needlework, this exhibition highlights the importance of samplers as documentary evidence of past lives. Mostly made by young girls as part of their education in the 18th and 19th centuries, each sampler is not only a study in needlework, but moreover a piece of social history. No admission charge - donations appreciated.
Exhibition: Roarsome Dinosaurs
Until 31 August, 10:00-17:00, Tue-Sat
A family friendly exhibition about these enigmatic, extinct creatures. With facts, fossils and fun activities. No admission charge - donations appreciated.
Family Activity: Dinosaurs
Thu 1 August 10.30am-12pm
To coincide with the Museum’s summer exhibition, there is a morning of arts and crafts with a dinosaur theme. £4 per child plus accompanying adults £1. Book in advance at haslemeremuseum.co.uk/whatson
Town walk with local historian
Sunday 4 August, 2.30pm
Meet at 2.30pm outside Haslemere Museum. Walk lasts 1.5-2 hours. No need to book in advance. Donations appreciated on the day.
Museum Explorers ages 5-11
Throughout August
There will be several Museum Explorer sessions for 5-11 year olds during August. Parents do not need to stay. To choose a session and book, see haslemeremuseum.co.uk/whatson
Family event: Mill Cottage Farm experience
Thursday 8 August, 11am-3pm
The farm comes to Haslemere Museum. A selection of friendly farm animals to feed, groom and stroke in the Museum's beautiful garden, along with art activities inside. £5 per person. Book in advance at haslemeremuseum.co.uk/whatson
Family event: Meet the Tortoise
Tuesday 13 August. 25-minute sessions between 1 & 4pm
Meet the tortoise and ask the Museum’s expert, June Chatfield, your questions about tortoises. £1.50 per person. Book in advance at haslemeremuseum.co.uk/whatson
Wellbeing workshop: Clay - but it’s only mud!
Wednesday 14 August, 7-9pm
Fun evening experimenting with clay. Join ceramicist Jan Hite and convert this very humble material into a stunning piece of ceramic art. Your masterpiece will be taken to her studio, fired and returned to you to keep forever. £15. Book in advance at haslemeremuseum.co.uk/ whatson
Family event: Teddy Bears’ Picnic
Thursday 15 August, 1.30-4pm
Enjoy a fun-filled afternoon with a traditional picnic and mini fete in the Museum’s beautiful gardens. There will be games, stalls and more. Bring your teddy for a photo with the Museum's famous mascot Arthur the bear and enter a competition for best Palaeontologist dressed Teddy. Free entry but a child’s tea can be reserved for £5 via haslemeremuseum.co.uk/whatson
Family object handling session: Seaside
Saturday 17 August, 11am-12pm
Join the Museum’s Community Engagement Officer to explore some of the objects in the handling collection relating to the seaside. Suitable for all ages. £4 per person. Book in advance at haslemeremuseum.co.uk/whatson
Garden tour of ferns
Saturday 17 August, 2pm
Join Dr June Chatfield for a walk to explore the fascinating ferns in the Museum’s grounds and nearby. Suitable for adults. £5. Book in advance at haslemeremuseum.co.uk/whatson
Family outdoor theatre: Jemima Puddleduck
Tuesday 20 August, 6.30pm
Join Quantum Theatre for a charming new adaptation of the much-loved Beatrix Potter tale in the Museum’s lovely grounds. Poor Jemima wants to hatch her own eggs, but when she meets a charming 'whiskered gentleman', will he turn out to be as nice as he seems? Doors open at 5.30pm. Bring a rug and picnic. The café will be open for drinks and snacks. Adult £15.00 / Child £10.00 / Family of 4 £40.00. Book in advance at haslemeremuseum.co.uk/ whatson
Family activity: LEGO - Discovering Dinosaurs
Thursday 22 August, 10.15-11.30 & 12-1.15
Join Brilliant Bricks for an exciting morning of imaginative LEGO building! What will palaeontologist minifigures Betty Brickley and Brad Brickston find as they travel to a remote island off the coast of Costa Rica where dinosaurs are rumoured to still exist. £5 per child plus accompanying adults £3. Book in advance at haslemeremuseum.co.uk/whatson
Family activity: Brilliant Bees
Thursday 29 August, 10.30am-1.30pm
A morning of all things to do with bees. Visit the Museum’s hive, look at a skep and make bee-related arts and crafts. £4 per child plus accompanying adults £1. Book in advance at haslemeremuseum.co.uk/whatson
Town walk with local historian
Sunday 1 September, 2.30pm
Church Lane, Tanners Lane & Lower Street Meet at 2.30pm outside Haslemere Museum. Walk lasts 1.5-2 hours. No need to book in advance. Donations appreciated on the day.
Childhood Revisited
Creative Wellbeing Workshop
Tuesday 3 September, 7-9pm
Explore your inner child with various art media including salt dough and bubble painting Led by local artist Diana Burch, this is a relaxed wellbeing art session. £15. Book in advance at haslemeremuseum.co.uk/whatson
World Cultures
Behind-the-Scenes Tour
Friday 13 September, 1.30-2.15pm
Go behind the scenes with our knowledgeable Collections Team for an exclusive look at the Museum's fascinating World Cultures collection. This 45-minute tour is unique opportunity to explore areas of the museum not seen by the public and to view some of the many fascinating items hidden away in the museum stores. Suitable for adults & children 10+. Free event but booking essential. Book in advance at haslemeremuseum.co.uk/whatson
Talk: Where There’s a Will There’s a War: Inheritance Disputes & How to Avoid Them
Wednesday 18 September, 7pm
Join Richard Manyon, Museum Trustee and Partner at Payne Hicks Beach, and Mark Lindley of Boodle Hatfield for an informative talk on how to ensure your will delivers your wishes. £7. Book in advance at haslemeremuseum.co.uk/whatson
Exhibition: The Remarkable Studio
19 September-9 October
An exhibition of photography by Peter Searight. Peter is a Fellow of the British Institute of Professional photography and a widely exhibited award winning photographer. Tue-Sat, 10am-5pm. Admission free.
Town walk with local historian
Sunday 22 September, 2.30pm
Meet at 2.30pm outside Haslemere Museum. Walk lasts 1.5-2 hours. No need to book in advance. Donations appreciated on the day.
Petworth House and Park August News
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/petworth
Summer Holidays at Petworth
20 July - 1 September, free, no booking required
Every day throughout the summer holidays there will be free garden games and activities to enjoy. Join us for Tudor Tuesdays and Thursdays and immerse yourself in the court of Henry VIII. Activities include jousting, archery and crafts, inspired by Petworth’s real-life archaeological dig.
All activities are free but normal admission to Petworth House applies.
Nocturnal Wildlife and Perseids Meteor Shower Guided Walk
12 & 13 August, 8pm - 10pm, booking essential
Bring along your torch and blanket and visit the Deer Park at night discovering some of the nocturnal wildlife and try out a bit of star gazing.
Find out about the bats and owls that roost in the Deer Park. Bring a picnic blanket and take a look at the stars of the night sky. We might be lucky enough to catch the meteor shower before 10pm.
Adults - £8, Children - £4
Booking essential, please see our website or call 0344 249 1895
Conserving Kauffman
10 June - 24 November, free, no booking required
A spotlight display shining a light on the recent conservation of Angelica Kauffman’s Diomed and Cressida (1788). Join us in the exhibition room to discover what it takes to care for a painting of this age, significance, and scale.
Free, no booking required. Normal admission applies.
HASLEMERE FOOD
FESTIVAL 2024
ANOTHER YEAR OF TEMPTING AND TANTALISING YOUR TASTE BUDS!
CELEBRATING THE BEST OF LOCAL
Celebrating all that is great about local produce, a feast of culinary delights will be tantalising the taste buds at the eighteenth annual Haslemere Food Festival. The festival highlights the variety of high quality produce that is available locally and the range of products currently available from award winning suppliers in the town and surrounding area.
Saturday 21st September Lion Green, Haslemere 10am - 4pm FREE ENTRY
Visit our facebook page for further details: @haslemerefoodfestival
On Saturday 14th September we have our monthly Coffee Stop at Godalming Baptist Church from 10.00am onwards until 12.00 noon. No charge but donations appreciated to support 'Charlie's Promise' helping to prevent knife crime. Do come and enjoy delicious home made cakes and tea/ coffee. Queen Street, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 1BA | | Tel: 01483 - 422105
Surrey Fire and Rescue Service needs our feedback
Our fire and rescue service is asking for feedback on seven key proposals for change.
The proposals, which will become part of the service’s Community Risk Management Plan, have been designed using risk data and demand information. One proposal seeks to review Haslemere Fire Station’s crewing, whilst still ensuring the station stays open 24/7.
Have your say by 6 September by visiting www.surreysays.co.uk/sfrs/crmp.
A FREE service for people with NHS hearing aids includes:
Basic Maintenance, Battery Supply, Cleaning & Re-Tubing, Trouble-Shooting and Advice
Sessions will be held at The Link (St Bartholomew’s Church) on:
10:00am – 11.30am, every 2nd and 4th Thursday
Our NHS volunteers are trained by the audiology department of the Royal Surrey County Hospital. Visiting the Hear Here clinic may save travelling long distances or the difficulties of access to the hospital.
The Hear Here scheme was launched in March 2013 as a partnership between Guildford Diocese and the NHS. There are now over 200 people trained in hearing aid maintenance. Hear Here was successful in winning the Faith Action & Health Award in 2018 for continuing to provide support for those with hearing loss across Surrey and North-East Hampshire.
Enquiries to: Hearingchampion@haslemereparish.org
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
Baptisms
From the Registers
Adeline Isabelle Ann Newman - 16th June at St Christoper’s
Georgiana Katherine Diana Ings - 22nd June at St Bartholomew’s
Millie Nancy Catherine Brown - 23rd June at St Bartholomew’s
Thalia Pinlac Tedder - 29th June at St Christopher’s
Toby Buster Mills - 30th June at St Bartholomew’s
Olivia Mary Cowell - 7th July at St Bartholomew’s Funerals
Frederick Hefford - 19th June at St Bartholomew’s
Ann Eugenie Newton - 24th July Guildford Crematorium Interments
Gilbert John Blackmore Lear - 27th May at St Bartholomew’s
Zena Mavis Gay - 13th June at St Bartholomew’s
Michael Frederick Barnes - 13th July at St Bartholomew’s Weddings
Robert Gardner and Julia Rake - 1st June at St Bartholomew’s
Dominic Foy and Amy Owen - 27th July at St Bartholomew’s
This magazine is also available online from the parish website, www.haslemereparish.org,
For the Oct/Nov 24 issue of the magazine Is Friday September 13th 2024 We’d love to hear from you
Responsibility for opinions and accuracy in statements expressed in articles and in advertisements in this magazine rests solely with the individual contributors
4 August 10th Sunday of Trinity
1 Sept 14th Sunday of Trinity 8.00 Holy Communion | St Christopher’s 10.00 Holy Communion | St Bartholomew’s
11 August 11th Sunday of Trinity
18 August 12th Sunday of Trinity
8 Sept 15th Sunday of Trinity 8.00 Holy Communion | St Bartholomew’s 10.00 Holy Communion | St Christopher’s 18.00 Evensong | St Bartholomew’s
15 Sept 16th Sunday
25 August 13th Sunday of
22 Sept 17th Sunday of Trinity 8.00 Holy Communion | St Bartholomew’s 10.00 Holy Communion | St Christopher’s 18.00 Evensong | St Bartholomew’s
29 Sept 18th Sunday of Trinity
8.00 Holy Communion | St Christopher’s 10.00 United Benefice Service | St Bartholomew’s 10am services are live streamed via the Parish Youtube channel.
