Parish of Porthcawl Parish Magazine October 2020

October 2020

60p Porthcawl Parish Magazine

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October 2020

WORSHIP IN THE PARISH We have now regained almost our ‘normal pattern’ though singing is not yet allowed.

Evensong is Livestreamed on Sundays at 6 SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST, Newton Sunday:

Mass at 08.30 & 11.00

Tuesday & Friday:

Mass at 10.30

ALL SAINTS, Porthcawl Sunday:

Mass at 08.00 & 10.00

Monday:

Mass at 12.00

Wednesday:

Mass at 10.30

Saturday:

Mass at 09.30

SAINT DAVID, Nottage Sunday:

Mass at 09.30 & 17.00

Thursday;

Mass at 10.30 The daily Mass is Livestreamed on Parish of Newton, Nottage and Porthcawl

Wednesday@6 is a Zoom group run by Fr Geoff ring 07903669247 for details.

Porthcawl Parish Magazine

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October 2020

Happy Harvest!

Here we are at Harvest Festival – a time of celebration, but more muted this year as we find ourselves in a second lockdown locally! This time, it doesn’t feel quite so unsettling, maybe because we’ve been there before and also as the restrictions are a little less severe. At least we’ll still be able to go to church to celebrate Harvest- at a distance, robed in our masks, but bearing gifts nonetheless!

Once again, we have a packed magazine. I’m delighted to welcome some new contributors, as well as grateful to our stalwarts. I’m sure, like me, you enjoy hearing news and updates from across the Parish, as well as all the other goodies thrown in!

Our clergy (oh how lovely it is to be able to use the plural!) are all giving us interesting and thought-provoking articles. We remember Fr David John, explore a Higher Love, find out about a fascinating new structure and ponder Job’s story. Fr Geoff even has us busy making, so get out your paper, scissors, rulers and sticky tape!

We’ve included some lovely poems – uncovered treasures as well as from our home-grown writers. Thank you Hannah for reminding us of Ann Murphy’s talents too. Our Maverick’s Musings are back, bucking trends and making history! And there’s a pleasant reminder of things to come next summer with St John’s Summer Fayre!

Take a moment to enjoy these articles – and if you’ve got ideas or comments for additional content or specific topics, let me know.

Keep an eye online too (the website and Facebook) for up-to-date news, livestream services and additional articles.

I look forward to your contributions for the November issue (to me by 25th October please). You can email me, call me or pop them in the post.

Don’t forget to put the clocks back.

Stay safe. Happy Reading!

Helen Murdoch Please send magazine or website contributions to me at: parish@parishofporthcawl.org or call me on 01656 773645 or 07721 864493. or by post to 7 Birch Walk, Porthcawl CF36 5AN

Keep up with Parish news and updates: On the website: www.parishofporthcawl.org On Facebook: search for Parish of Newton Nottage Porthcawl Porthcawl Parish Magazine

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October 2020

ALL THINGS ARE YOURS That in the end is the ‘Harvest’ theme, whether we think of the crops growing around this town surrounded by farmland, the goods fetched from overseas or the multiple choices found on Amazon. It applies to the clothes we wear, the books we read and the cars that take us around the place when out of lockdown. Like the bread and wine he transforms during the Eucharist, they might be ‘the work of human hands’ but their essence, their origin, is in him, like all the fruits of the earth. If the earth and all its goodness is Godgiven, then all we have is, ultimately, his.

Accepting that, realising that, welcoming that is important. It is, first of all, what leads us into thanksgiving. We begin to accept that God gives us not just the means of salvation from our wrong choices and sins, gives us not just hope for this world and the next but gives us all that we need to live, work and have our being as well.

The words of my title mean literally what they say.

Thanksgiving is the response; a thanksgiving which is mature and measured more deeply than the gift of a few tins for the Foodbank or what we might (and should) give in the collection. It demands a thanksgiving, if thought through, which is life-effecting, shown as much in our relationship with others as in our relationship with our Creator.

Thanksgiving, then, forces us outward from our own concerns and pre-occupations. Firstly, towards God the giver. Without him we have, and are, nothing. Then towards his created world, the source of all that sustains us physically—a thing of wonder, a thing to be treasured and not abused. And then towards our fellow-creatures: we are made part of a greater whole.

That is why a thankful Christian is a giving Christian, honouring both creation and created, the Creator and his creatures. We give to help those who are in need. We give because there is, we know, enough in this world for everyone and our sharing becomes part of our caring. We give because we know that all things are his– and what we give back is his as well.

Fr. Philip Porthcawl Parish Magazine

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October 2020

David John, priest Fr David John, Adeline (Addie) and their family came to the parish of Newton Nottage following the retirement of Fr Hector Evans in the mid 80s.They came here from Pontyclun with Talygarn and had before that served in the Parish of Ystrad Rhondda.

It was a big move to a much larger parish, where Fr Hugh James and Fr Trevor Maines, working for the Children’s Society but living on Fulmar Road had been holding the fort, together with a multitude of retired clergy. As Rector came the responsibility of training curates and Fr Hugh was followed by Geoff Waggett, Irving Hamer, Malcom Chiplin and Jolyon Seward, all of whom have fond memories of their time with him, even if relationships could be sometimes stormy – Fr Waggett remember being sacked at least twice.

He helped and encouraged the parish through a time of great change and expansion. There was the 800th anniversary of the foundation of St John’s, the restoration of All Saints organ, the beginning of the 200 club, the ‘Parish Socials’ of chicken and chips and dancing in Trecco, the pantomimes and beginning two major building projects – new vestries and facilities at the parish church and the creation of a totally new St David’s and Hall. This gave me an impressive inheritance when I succeeded him in 1992.

People have spoken of his great sense of fun and his kindness and hospitality, opening his home to groups of teenagers; they have also mentioned his love for the Archers! In all this, of course, he was dealing with MS and all the problems associated with it.

He had a high idea and ideal of priesthood which was shown in his commitment to our parish; he wrote me a very kind and moving letter when I was appointed here.

Addie died in 2008 (her anniversary is this week) and he lived on his own in Rhymney before moving to Malvern, nearer one his daughters. We offer Felicity, Helen, Clare and Michael and their families our love and sympathy at this time.

May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

Porthcawl Parish Magazine

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October 2020

The Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer Do you listen to the radio? I do, I like the dynamics of Radio 4. The Today program makes me wince most of the time, but it tells me the news and Radio 4 Extra has all the wonderful comedy shows like Round the Horne, Hancock's Half Hour and The Goon Show.

On Sundays when I get up, I usually hear Something Understood or Sunday, one of the BBC's religious news items. Recently Sunday had an article on The Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer. It is in the shape of Möbius strip. This is something you can make at home (see below). The wall will be 50 yards (50 metres) high, that is more than twice as high as All Saints Church.

The wall will be built in a highly visible location at Coleshill Manor, Birmingham next to the M6/M42 motorway junction, the planned route of the HS2 high speed rail line and below the flightpath for Birmingham airport. The wall will have bricks that react to a mobile phone. When you hold your phone up to a brick, it will deliver a testimony about a prayer. Some talk of decades before an answer came, others the answer was no, still others the answer was immediate. Some are recent, others go back centuries and every brick, even the ones high up, will be active. Special binoculars will deliver their testimony. Every prayer will be anonymous.

This is all very beautiful, but it has a practical purpose too. The campaign to build The Wall was launched on the Kickstarter crowd funding website in 2016. During the 39-day funding period, 692 backers pledged £47,215, exceeding the £45,000 goal for seed funding. Once completed, a million bricks will be donated to social housing, building around 100 homes. Each year the profits from visitors will go to UK Charities. It is due to end in 2022 just before the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Let's pray the pandemic does not delay this at all, a worthy prayer to be answered.

There is also a short video that tells you 10 facts about the wall at https://uk.ramboll.com/projects/ruk/wall-of-answered-prayer.

And you can donate to the wall, or if you have an answered prayer, you can buy a brick from https://www.eternalwall.org.uk.

In one of the churches I served in the East Vale, a grandmother had a grandson with a rare condition that sapped his appetite and made him dangerously ill. She asked me to pray for him and, in Porthcawl Parish Magazine

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turn, the whole congregation prayed for him every Sunday. We followed his journey visiting various clinics and hospitals. He had an operation that helped him digest food, his appetite returned and his mum now has to make sure he eats properly, like every mum does. Not every prayer like that is answered and in many ways that is not the point. Just like the wall, this short witness of mine points not to us who prayed, or even the little boy, but to the one who listens.

Geoff Lunn Here's how to make a Möbius strip…

You’ll need a safe scissors, a piece of paper, a ruler and some sticky tape.

Cut a reasonably straight, parallel strip of paper. I cut about 3/4"(1.5cm) off the long edge of a piece of letter size (A4) paper.

It isn't important how wide the piece is, but you want to get the long edges reasonable parallel, especially at the ends so the widths line up for the next step.

Hold the strip of paper so the two edges line up. Cut from about 1"/2.5cm toward the opposite corner. The distance isn't important, but you want to have the pieces held tightly together so they’re cut the same, and you want to cut the line as straight as possible. This should leave you with a tapering end.

Cutting the end this way will ensure you tape the strip together right, and make the connecting section stiffer, providing something similar to a "scarf joint" in woodworking.

Put a piece of tape on one of the ends following the diagonal edge.

Hold the piece with the tape side up, and hold the other end on the other side of it. Flip over one end so the diagonal edges line up.

Put the two ends as close together as possible and stick the loose end on the tape. Add another piece of tape on the other side.

Your Möbius strip is done. Note how it only has one side — yes, one, not two!

To show it really only has one side, put a pencil on a spot anywhere along the strip and keep drawing in one direction. You’ll end up where you started. Now that couldn't be if it had two sides!

Try cutting along the line you just drew - you don’t end up with two strips, but one! It speaks of eternity doesn't it?

Porthcawl Parish Magazine

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October 2020

Higher Love If you listen to the same radio stations as I do, then you will be familiar with the Norwegian DJ Kygo. Perhaps you are not familiar with his work, but for the last year I’ve been singing along to his remix of Whitney Houston’s version of Steve Winwood’s 1986 hit song Higher Love. It has a catchy tune, and some thought provoking lyrics.

“Think about it, there must be a higher love Down in the heart or hidden in the stars above Without it, life is wasted time Look inside your heart, and I'll look inside mine” There must be a higher love. Really? Must there be?

I wonder if this is a question that has ever crossed your mind?

For Christians, the answer is a resounding “yes”. DJ Kygo and Whitney have, perhaps by accident, hit upon a rich seam of philosophy and theology. What they sing about yearning for in romantic relationships, a Higher Love, thinkers argued exists

Porthcawl Parish Magazine

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Higher Love continued objectively in the world; but Christians have come to understand that this Higher Love is a person: Jesus Christ.

That the universe is governed by a higher principle is a thought that has appeared in a range of world philosophies. After centuries of discourse, the Ancient Greeks gave us the idea that there was a Principle, which governed all things, they called it the Logos.

St John, in the Christian Tradition, tells us that this Logos was in the beginning with God, and was indeed God; and moreover that this Logos, or in English this Word, was born a man Jesus. In the first letter that bears his name he tells us: Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

1 John 4:7-12 “Think about it, there must be a higher love Down in the heart or hidden in the stars above Without it, life is wasted time Look inside your heart, and I'll look inside mine” Steve Winwood, 1986 Kygo and Whitney are right, there is a Higher Love – but, I’m afraid we won’t find it either in the stars above, nor in the depths of our heart; unless we find it first in God’s love made manifest: Jesus Christ.

Fr Mark

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October 2020

An overview of the Book of Job “Life's not fair, is it?” These are the opening words of my favourite Children’s Film, Disney’s the Lion King. Voiced by the inimitable Jeremy Irons, the King’s wicked brother, Scar, begins the film by saying “Life’s not fair, is it? You see I, I shall never be king. And you shall never see the light of another day.” As he dangles a mouse in front of jaws, poised to eat it.

I wonder if you think that life is more, or less, fair than Scar’s assessment? The Fairness, or not, of life is the theme of the Book of Job; whose laments we have been working through during daily masses in September. Job has been laying out his suffering, and the suffering of the righteous, before God - wanting to justify God’s actions, in the face of seemingly unfair suffering, but finding he can’t make sense of it.

“Is life fair?” Job asks God. But, the answer isn’t at all what he expected. Rather than being given reasons, Job is confronted with the complexity, beauty, and wildness of creation, and he is asked if he could do a better job.

Baroque artist Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, has been in the news this year, as one of his paintings has been utterly destroyed in an attempted restoration. A professor at the Galician School for the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage, said: “Can you imagine just anyone being allowed to operate on other people? Or someone being allowed to sell medicine without a pharmacist’s licence? Or someone who’s not an architect being allowed to put up a building?”

If we couldn’t do so small a thing as restore a piece of art a few inches across, why should we think we can do a better job on the work of art which is creation?

This is Job’s Story: Job starts off as a wealthy man. He is “blameless” and “upright,”. Then, God permits Satan to test if Job really loves God, or just loves God’s blessings. Accordingly, Job loses everything, even his family. Job is, understandably, bereft. He tears his clothes and shaves his head in mourning. Yet, at this point he still blesses God. Next, Job’s suffering increases, as he develops a painful skin disease. By this point, even his wife encourages him to curse God and die, but Job refuses. He wants to understand why this has happened.

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Three of Job’s friends come to visit him, sitting with him in silence for seven days out of respect for his mourning. So far, the friends get it right – keeping silent company is sometimes the only way to respond to grief. Eventually Job speaks - a conversation in which he lays-out and laments his suffering in long, poetic statements.

Job’s friends, take it in turns to respond; here they begin to go wrong. They repeat the popular but false idea that God simply blesses or curses each person as his actions deserve, as though God were a divine vending machine: one puts in good behaviour, and one receives material blessings. There is correlation between obedience and blessing – but it is not so clear cut as the friends make out. As a result the friends insist that Job must have sinned and must deserve his suffering. This is dangerously wrong.

Job responds to them, growing so irritated that he calls them “worthless physicians” who “whitewash with lies”. Job’s suffering has not been caused by any particular sin, we know this for certain. After asserting his righteousness, and pouring out his heart, and rehearsing his complaints over and again, Job begins to come to the conclusion that he does not understand himself well enough to plead his own case to God. As Christians reading this book, this is central for us, as Job hopes for someone who can mediate between himself and God. He knows it can’t be his friends, who are offended that he has scorned their wisdom. This “mediator”, this “witness”, this “Redeemer” must be someone in heaven who will plead for him. Although neither Job, nor those who handed on the books of the Old Testament, knew him by this name, that mediator is Jesus Christ, whom Job swears that he will, after the resurrection, see with his own eyes.

With hope in, but without knowledge of, the Messiah, Job says he wants to confront God and complain, face-to-face, but he cannot physically find God to do it.

Conclusion: It’s in response to this that the book comes to a climax.

There is a fantastic scene in the 1992 court room drama A Few Good Men, where Jack Nicholson’s character is in the dock, and is being questioned. Tom Cruise’ character demands that he answer with the truth and Nicholson responds with the infamous line, Continued on Page 14 Porthcawl Parish Magazine

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News from All Saints As I entered All Saints last Sunday morning I was, as usual, greeted by the smiling and assiduous Helen Owen (I could tell she was smiling from her eyes, as she was of course wearing a mask).

‘May I ask a favour Gareth?’ She said. ‘Yes, of course...’ I replied (forgetting the never volunteer rule); this is usually followed by a request to help with the readings or the intercessions, however, last Sunday Helen asked if I would agree to write a few lines for the parish magazine.

Before I confirmed, I asked Helen whether she had a particular subject and she suggested writing something on my experiences over the last few months; in essence, family and work life under the cloud of the Covid pandemic. So here goes...

For the last six months I have mainly been working from home in Victoria Avenue. So has Alisha, my wife. We are both solicitors working in Cardiff and so out of necessity, our kitchen table has turned into an office with a laptop at each end and papers and draft documents filling the space in between.

The days are endless calls, emails, Zoom meetings and rows about who is the least busy, and therefore able to make lunch or the next cup of tea.....

When nursery was closed due to Covid restrictions, we were joined by our ‘helper’ George (he’ll be four in January). The combination of office demands, working in close proximity and daily ‘toddler terrorism’ has been challenging at times however, we’ve had more quality time as a family as a result, we’ve been able to witness George learn to ride his bike, hit a cricket ball, climb trees and shoot a bow and arrow (mostly at me).

We’ve appreciated our town perhaps more than in other years; able to enjoy walks, the beaches and rock pools. Yes, under normal circumstances we’d be able to do this at weekends, but we’ve been able to admire these things in greater detail and at a somewhat slower pace over the last six months.

We’ve had more time to talk to and get to know our neighbours and as we’ve been shopping locally we’ve taken more time to stop Porthcawl Parish Magazine

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and talk, rather than the usual rushing around. Our petrol bill has reduced dramatically as we are no longer commuting five days a week however, our wine bill has grown exponentially so there hasn’t been a saving...

There have of course been periods of anxiety and sorrow; not seeing loved ones for long periods of time, worrying about job security, concerns for family and friends especially those who are ‘at risk’ and moreover having to deal with the death of loved ones in circumstances that seem so strange; especially being unable to attend funerals when mourner numbers were even more limited that they are now.

I’ve been thinking a lot about my own family during this time and I do wonder what will happen in the next six months. I’ve found myself thinking, almost daily, of words my grandfather used to say to me when I was young which have stayed with me and seem appropriate now. These words are the opening lines to his favourite hymn: “Though all the changing scenes of life, in trouble and in joy, the praises of my God shall still my heart and tongue employ” . I expect we all have our own lines or thoughts that help us try and understand the world around us, and I expect we’ve employed them over the last six months. I thought I’d conclude by sharing mine.

Gareth Baker

I’m glad I’m not in charge!

Ding Ding Round 2, here we go again We can only meet in the garden so let’s hope it doesn’t rain!

Wear a mask in public, don’t show nose, mouth or tooth (Lipstick sales have plummeted, Mascara’s through the roof!)

Though some of the new rules strike me as bizarre (Can get in a taxi but not in daughter’s car!?!)

Can’t have your family round for some grub (Although you can still meet them all in the pub!

But only if it’s before 10 o clock Cos that’s when the virus will start to knock knock).

But I don’t mean to sound so derisive and flip Cos we’re British, we’ll manage with Stiff Upper Lip! Sian Jones Porthcawl Parish Magazine

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Continued from Page 11 “You Can’t Handle the Truth”. Up until now, God has been in the Dock. Questioned and interrogated by Job; but now the roles are reversed. Job is in the dock, and we shall see whether he can handle the truth.

God calls to Job from a whirlwind, before taking him on a virtualtour of creation. From the constellations in the sky, to the goats feeding on the mountainside. God, summons up images of the sea, the sun, the seasons, and takes time to call to mind two particular large beasts, the Behemoth and Leviathan. These could simply be mythic depictions of the Hippopotamus and the Crocodile, but they stand for untameable nature. The wild beauty of creation. These are beasts which are not domestic, they are dangerous, and deadly – but still part of God’s good creation.

God wants Job to realise just how little mortals can understand about the creation we inhabit. How can we second guess God, when we lack the perspective, wisdom, or power to comprehend his ways?

God doesn’t explain suffering away, or try to explain a particular reason for the seemingly unfair distribution of blessings. Rather, God asks Job, and us, to look in awe at the cosmos; and simply to trust God. After many chapters of Job’s complaints, Job’s suffering is set in the context of a rich, complex, dangerous, beautiful, painful, wonderful world – which ultimately is not designed for the avoidance of all suffering, and is made to be much better than simply fair.

The world is designed for us to know, trust, and love God; after all his suffering Job still does. It is this which is his righteousness.

The friends were wrong to assume that Job’s suffering must have been caused by sin, and to have accused him. Job was wrong to have accused God, but God much prefers Job’s wrestling with faith, than the friends’ easy answers. God returns Job’s health, providing him with twice as much property as before, new children, and an extremely long life – crucially, not as a reward, but as a free gift given in the unsearchable wisdom of God. Fr Mark Porthcawl Parish Magazine

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News from St David’s Something a little different this month: A corny challenge for Harvest Write down the letters of HARVEST. Scatter them, then Plough into them. Gather the letters into words of three or more letters - each letter should only be used once in each word. See how many you can make.

David Parry

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News from St John’s First of all, many congratulations to the Rector on his well-deserved Community Award. As we all know, he goes about his work, not only in the parish, but in the community as a whole, making a very worthwhile contribution in so many ways. Hope he enjoys a well deserved break and is not affected by the lockdown!

During the last few months he has put the time to good use, seeing to the maintenance of all our churches. The stonework and the windows of our Schoolroom are looking good, as is the inside of St John’s. The floor of the central aisle is looking exceptionally good.

We thank him for his care, attention and obvious love he has for our beloved church.

We were all very sad to hear that David has finally had to give up on all the many and varied duties he has undertaken over very many years in St John’s. We thank him for all his dedication and commitment over the years. It is fair to say that it unlikely that anyone else will now come forward to show similar dedication and commitment.

We have now entered another period of lockdown. Let us hope that it will for a short period only - if people are sensible. One problem is common sense is sadly not common these days!

Easter was well and truly written off this year. As we approach Harvest, even if we cannot celebrate it in our usual fashion, at least we can still go to Church to acknowledge it. (We hope).

From a personal point of view, it would be nice to see some flowers, even if it is only one arrangement, on Harvest Sunday, as a symbol of the festival.

When we remember in our prayers all those who have or are suffering to varying extents from the virus, let us not forget those who are also suffering from non-virus related illnesses, and, because they have been denied treatment, have died earlier than they should or have had their illness prolonged.

Mark appears to be settling in well and he has made a very welcome addition to the parish. He has certainly joined us at a difficult period. He appears very capable. He also has a lovely Porthcawl Parish Magazine

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Day Dream One day people will touch and talk perhaps easily.

And loving will be as natural as breathing and warm as sunlight.

And people will untie themselves - as string is unknotted.

Unfold - uncurl - like seaweed returned to the sea.

And work will be simple and swift as a seagull flying.

And play will be casual and quiet as a seagull settling.

And the clocks will stop.

And no one will wonder, or care, or even notice.

And people will smile without reason, Even in the winter, Even in the rain.

By Arthur Seymour John Tessimond Submitted by Marilyn Smith News from St John’s continued clear speaking voice. Those with hearing aids have commented on how easy it is to hear him. Someone has also at some time heard him sing and commented that, with Judith, they would make a lovely duet – when, of course, we are allowed to sing again.

Something for us to look forward to maybe.

For now, take care, stay safe and God bless Diane Jackson

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Quick Crossword

Across

Down

1 In this place (4) 1 Bowling feat (3,5) 3 Careful (8) 2 Fast (5) 9 Drinker (7) 4 Continent (6) 10 Reimburse (5) 5 Concise, pithy (5) 11 Broadcasting medium (5) 6 Resisted (7) 12 Mark made by folding (6) 7 Mythical river of the underworld (4) 14 Overcast (6) 8 Edible nut (6) 16 Prison Officer (6) 13 Miserable (8) 19 Lottery with goods as prizes (6) 15 Speech-making (7) 21 Navy (5) 17 Cake-burning king (6) 24 Tale (5) 18 Country formally part of Yugoslavia (6) 25 Defect (7) 20 Lobby (5) 26 Dawn (8) 22 Chosen few (5) 27 Take notice of (4) 23 Second-hand (4) Copyright Š 2020 Best for Puzzles Porthcawl Parish Magazine

Answers on Page 21 19

October 2020

More Musings of a Maverick: Bucking the trend and making history April 1st - is it a good day to start a new job? It happened to me in 1961! My YMCA remit was to turn a Boys Club into a mixed Youth Club and to establish a Day Camps Programme.

In previous years I had written an event for Christmas, which brought people together to sing Christmas Carols, hear the Christmas story and see it enacted – Norwich YMCA wanted a Christmas event! In those days, the YMCA membership was exclusively male and the YWCA even more exclusively female.

The production required a Mary and some female voices for the choir.

The YMCA was in a Georgian building but had built a hostel and sports hall at the rear. Facing these additions was the YWCA; the announcement of my intention of asking the YWCA for assistance was met with derisive laughter. I nonetheless knocked the door and was granted audience with the warden – on the doorstep!

She heard my request and informed me it would be discussed with the Assistant Warden the following morning and to return in 24 hours for a response.

I duly presented myself the following day, the Assistant Warden was summoned and she invited me (a mere male) to enter and we went into her flat. It was the beginning of an excellent working relationship and a deep and firm friendship, which has lasted all these years. The Carolaria was very successful, several YWCA young ladies joined the event – Mary actually married Joseph!

I became a frequent visitor at the YWCA, but for some time I was the only male allowed over the doorstep. When the YMCA created a flat for me in part of the building, Vi, the YWCA Assistant Warden, would join me and other friends where we had a regular Wednesday evening Scrabble Group.

Being conscious of my overall remit with the YMCA, after the first year I was very aware the Day Camps were only for boys and discussed with Vi the possibility of running two weeks in the summer programme with girls participating and her involvement.

This had to be discussed by the YWCA committee; she assured me the roof didn’t quite fall in on that meeting.

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In 1962 we ran the first, and very successful, Boys and Girls Day Camp programme with Vi arriving on the bus with a big smile every morning! The venture attracted a lot of attention including the Scout Movement – Cub Scouts were not allowed to camp in those days; not only were we taking boys from age eight, we now included girls!!

Part of the camp experience was everybody becoming very muddied: I had agreed that Roy should widen the stream for the rope crossing, which was almost impossible for younger children!

Part of that experience was being hosed down (fully dressed) afterwards by Richard whose land we were using at Swanington Manor.

How history is quietly made: I, a mere male, was allowed into a YWCA, we established a Youth Club (in the Boys Club premises) and we started camps for boys AND girls from age eight.

Among the regular visitors and supporters of the camps programme was Bishop Laurence Fleming, then bishop of Norwich and founder of Voluntary Service Overseas, and his Youth Chaplain with whom I am still in touch.

John Berry BEM

St John’s Newton Summer Fayre A message from the Chairman I hope all the committee members, organisers and helpers of our wonderful St John’s Summer Fayre Team are safe and well.

During these difficult times, we have missed everyone and, of course, the event this year. However, it’s time to start thinking about 2021!

Karen and I are committed to make next year successful.

If circumstances allow, we will be making arrangements soon to talk to the committee. In the meantime, we are thinking of ways to enable that, either through phone calls or other methods.

I will email everyone shortly to find the way forward.

Keep up the good spirits.

Best regards to everyone.

Jonathan and Karen Lewis Porthcawl Parish Magazine

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Quick Crossword Answer

Porthcawl Parish Magazine

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ALL ODD JOBS UNDERTAKEN

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October 2020

Pause for Thought

Sitting Pretty Because I’m old and not so fit I seek out places I can sit My legs are tired my feet are sore And now my back aches more and more And shopping trips and all the rest Do put me to a painful test!

In town I spot a bench of wood I’d carry it with me if I could And plan to sit determined strong Hoping that nothing will go wrong But then I see with faint A sign that says “Beware wet paint!”

Quite often joining in my plan Are people from the smoking ban And there I sit it is no joke Surrounded by a cloud of smoke But never mind with strongest will I’ll sit upon a window sill And soon I see a pillar strong That I can put my bottom on Our Superstore provides a stop With a bench that’s placed inside the shop And a café is a certain bet The longest sit down I’ve had yet But sometimes careful I don’t fall down I sit upon a garden wall If I despair of what to do I go to find the nearest loo And sit in comfort all alone To gain some strength to journey home Not so much more time is left for me Soon in God’s Heaven I will be But when my Maker I do meet I’ll ask Him for a comfy seat!

By Ann Murphy Submitted by Hannah Jones - a gentle reminder of someone special Porthcawl Parish Magazine

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October 2020

Porthcawl Parish Magazine

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October 2020

The Parish of Newton Nottage, Porthcawl The Rector Fr Philip Masson 64 Victoria Ave

Assistant Priest Fr Geoff Lunn 07903669247

Assistant Priest Fr Mark Broadway 07492143959

Parish Office

Rector’s Warden Mr Kevin Boscott 43 Prince Road Kenfig Hill

People’s Warden Ms Ruth Birch

PCC Secretary Mrs Kay Foyle

Tel 783728

Tel: 786899

Parish Treasurer Dr Paul Smart 45 Bryneglwys Gdns Tel 788086

Gift Aid Secretary Dr David Parry MBE Greyholme, West Rd Tel 784211

Magazine Editor Mrs Helen Murdoch 7 Birch Walk Tel 773645

Magazine Manager Mrs Lorraine Llewellyn 33 Lewis Place Tel 788141

Child Protection Mrs Elaine Lloyd Tel 785137

The Parish Church of Saint John the Baptist, Newton Sub-Warden Miss Denver Whale 65 West Road Tel 782573

Sub-Warden / Sacristan Mr David Philpot MBE 2 Lime Tree Way

Gift Aid Secretary Mrs Lorraine Llewellyn 33 Lewis Place

Bell Ringing Sec Ms Ruth Birch

Organist Mrs Judith Shawe

Choirmistress Mrs Beryl Pillinger 35a Danygraig Ave Tel 785095 Hall bookings: Mr Gareth Lewis

All Saints, Porthcawl Sub-Warden Mr Phillip Angell Newton Nottage Rd Tel 710948

Sub-Warden Mrs Helen Owen 11 De Breos Drive Tel 785763

Gift Aid Secretary Mrs Jean Flower

Senior Server Mr Philip Angell

Tel: 07434 909102

Tel 710948

Organists Mr Isaak Cronjé Mr James Clear

Choirmaster Mr Peter Owen 11 De Breos Drive Tel 785763 Hall bookings: porthcawlallsaintshall@gmail.com

Saint David, Nottage Sub-Warden Mr Clive Edwards 38 Sandpiper Road Tel 784698

Sub-Warden Mrs Catherine Powell 98 West Park Drive Tel 07885 834740

Gift Aid Secretary Mr Clive Edwards 38 Sandpiper Road Tel 784698

Porthcawl Parish Magazine

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Sacristan Mrs Gillian Davis 10 Bredenbury Gdns Tel 786979

Organist Dr Pat Parry Greyholme, West Road Tel 784211

Junior Church Mrs Catherine Powell 98 West Park Drive Tel 07885 834740

Hall bookings: Mr Clive Edwards 38 Sandpiper Rd Tel 784698

October 2020