Ashley Parish Mag august 2021

Birds-eye view?

ASHLEY PARISH MAGAZINE August 2021 1

2

Rector’s Message for August We assert in our creeds that we believe in a Church, that is, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic. These words describe certain essential features of the Church we believe in. In August let’s think a little about the implications of the word Apostolic.

This aspect of the Church represents the continuity of the Christian Church from its earliest days until now. It links us to the original apostles of our Lord. The continuity of the Church is most obviously seen through its ministry - the ministry of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons. These three orders constitute what is often known as the apostolic ministry of the Church.

Now as the Church grew and spread, eleven apostles, as they now were, were not going to be able to cope with all there was to be done as the Church expand rapidly on a universal front. The first thing was to appoint a successor to Judas, and we see Mathias joining the number of the apostles. Then as the Church spread to other countries through the missionary work of St. Paul, who himself was not one of the original apostles, it was necessary to appoint ministers to look after these new congregations. The apostles did this by laying their hands on other disciples, commissioning them in Christ’s name to share their ministry.

The apostles were the first bishops. They consecrated other bishops to minister to the new churches, and eventually to take their places when they died. Then as the new churches expanded, and the bishops could no longer be there at every celebration of the Eucharist, priests were ordained to do some of this work. We read in the Acts of the Apostles how St. Paul ordained elders or priest to look after the Christians in the new churches he founded. We also read in the Acts of the Apostles how the order of deacons was founded to relieve the apostles of some of the routine tasks that were preventing them from getting on with more vital work.

Stephen and six others were made deacons to help in the visiting of the sick and the distribution of the relief to the needy.

So, when we assert our belief in the apostolic Church, we imply an apostolic band of people, both lay and ordained pledged to carry out Christ’s commission to convert the world. It is a formidable task, one that we could not hope to fulfil, except in the strength of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Your Friend and Parish Priest

Father David Isiorho

3

Loggerheads & District Befrienders

Normal Service Resumed!!

We are only too aware that in last month’s Magazine the article from the Befrienders was a little lengthy. It’s just that on occasions, our “wordsmiths” get carried away. We promise that this month’s contribution will be shorter…. By far! However, for those dear readers who managed to read all the text, you will know that it was our intention to hold our first post Covid/ Lock down Coffee morning on Friday July 9th 2021. The event is best summed up in the words attributed to Julius Caesar: Veni Vidi Vici We came together, we actually were able to meet each other face to face and we conquered (meaning, overcame ) any feeling of apprehension that some may have had, in once again going out into the big wide world!!!

The photo is proof-positive that it all happened as reported.

At the unanimous request of the Friends and Befrienders we are delighted to declare that our weekly Friday Coffee mornings at Ashley Methodist Church 10 a.m. until 12 noon are now firmly back on our agenda and a regular date in the diary once again. Everyone is welcome; so why not pop in and see us ?

The Befrienders are here to help support and offer the hand of friendship by keeping in contact with people by phone, and helping with shopping/prescription collection etc. We also visit people in their homes and facilitate events and outings when restrictions allow. If you need assistance please contact us: Phone: 07523 512934 Jill Cheadle and Jane Newton

COME TO A TRADITIONAL AFTERNOON TEA

August 27 from 2 pm—5 pm in the Chapter House of Ashley Church Sandwiches—Cakes—Scones-Jam-Tea of course ALL HOME MADE Tickets only £10 per person = book in advance from Marie (01630 673531) or Carole (01630 672538) or Chris (07702 185677) or any member of social committee.

4

-5-

5

-66

Working with the biggest corporation in the world – the church Philip Swan Can you guess the source of this headline? It is in fact taken from a recent article in The Guardian which went on to say that even ‘China Petro-Chemical, the largest corporation in the world with a labour force of around 1,190,000 employees, is still at least a thousand times smaller than this global movement’. In 2020 there were an estimated 2.4 billion Christians, making up approximately a third of the world’s population.

We are accustomed to receiving global news instantly and the current pandemic and the climate crisis underline our interdependence with everyone on this planet.

And yet many of us find it hard to see the bigger picture. Milton Jones, a comedian who is something of an expert in humorous one liners and a recurring guest panellist on ‘Mock the Week’ suggested poignantly that ‘The biggest question the church is asking the world is: Can we have some money for a new roof?’

I remember celebrating Easter Morning on the border of Uganda with a congregation of Anglican Christians. There were no church roofs to worry about – we met in the shade of some large trees. Many had walked considerable distances from the surrounding villages to be there and brought with them costly and sacrificial gifts such as eggs, chickens, cassava and in some cases money for the much-extended time of joy-filled offering. Afterwards we shared in a magnificent feast at which all were welcome.

I have been so blessed and enriched through my friendships and encounters with the world-wide church. Lichfield Diocese has for many years taken very seriously its part in the world- wide Anglican Communion through partnerships and links with other Dioceses. Currently, as I anticipate my impending retirement from what has been a wonderfully fulfilling and rewarding job as World Mission Enabler in this Diocese, we have been running a number of Zoom sessions with our global companions from S. Africa, S.E. Asia, Ireland, Canada and Northern Germany. We have celebrated our shared past, become informed about our present realities and committed ourselves to journeying together into God’s future.

A former General Secretary of the Church Mission Society, Max Warren, said ‘It takes the whole world to know the whole Christ’. In other words the insights we gain from new and different perspectives and from the experiences of others in following Christ across different cultures and contexts help shed light on God in human form – and so we are not just stuck with our particular and limited view of things. Let’s work with the biggest corporation in the world – it’s a win-win.

7

MARKET DRAYTON METHODIST CIRCUIT Looking back on our services: 12 July 2021 Our minister, the Revd Ruth Jeffries led our worship last Sunday morning. It was Ruth’s first service at Ashley since her return from three month’s sabbatical leave. Ruth shared with us some of her experiences during the past weeks under the heading “It’s OK”.

In preparation for the final service for Ruth before she takes up her appointment at Swan Bank Methodist Church in the Stoke on Trent Circuit and not in Kent as planned, she asked us to be prepared to give a short testimony on what God has been doing during her time in Market Drayton Circuit since she arrived in 2015.

We sang “Jesus calls us” after which Ruth said our opening prayers of praise adoration and thanksgiving, as we recalled the many blessings from her ministry amongst us and we remembered the times we had fallen far short of God’s calling to us. We sang “Give thanks for what the Lord has done for you”.

In her address Ruth gave thanks for the sabbatical leave she had just completed and for releasing her from her Circuit work for three months. She had returned only to leave in August. She had looked for a biblical character on which to base her experiences during the last few weeks and the nearest character she could find to reflect her experiences was Jonah. “We put a positive spin on a biblical story, but God is not a God of formula. Why is something happening when it should not happen, so we pray for God to fix it”, said Ruth.

“When we ask, he is good at it, so God in Christ fills the gap but again God does not work to a formula”. Ruth explained that she turned to the Psalmist and in Psalm 77 she found great consolation.in the first 13 verses, which were read by Jill Harrison “Comfort in Time of Distress”. The Psalmist does not say everything will be OK, instead we can trust God now.

We do not know the outcome of the present discomfort and God will not always fix any of the challenges we may face in the way we wish. Here Ruth played a video of Jane, a participant on the American TV show “America’s Got Talent” in which Jane, an ordinary person suffering from multiple cancers sang her song “I’m OK” following which Ruth, accompanying herself on the piano, sang “Remember” to conclude her address. Ruth’s words were doubtless a comfort to many in these difficult times.

We sang the lovely hymn, “In heavenly love abiding” following which Ruth lead our prayers for others including the England football team playing in the Euro Finals that evening.

Our organist Rod Smith lead our final hymn by Joseph Hart “This is the God we adore” which we sang outside in the car park, to conclude a wonderful service of worship.

Services in August Sunday 1st at 10.30am Mr Ivan Perry 8th " Mr Robert Williams 15th " Rev. Edna Perry - Holy Communion 22nd " Mr Peter Mitchell 29th " Mr Mark Savill Sunday 5th September will be a circuit service at Market Drayton to welcome our new minister, Rev. Mark Lawrence. No service at AMC. SEE ALSO LATER PAGES.

8

9

10

DID YOU KNOW ABOUT…?

THE “GREAT GREEN WALL” The Great Green Wall or Great Green Wall of the Sahara and the Sahel (French: Grande Muraille Verte pour le Sahara et le Sahel) is a project led by the African Union, initially conceived in the 1950s as a way to combat desertification in the Sahel region and hold back expansion of the Sahara, by planting a wall of trees stretching across the entire Sahel. It has since evolved into a program promoting water harvesting techniques and greenery protection and improving indigenous land use techniques, aimed at creating a mosaic of green and productive landscapes across North Africa.

The Initiative brings together more than 20 countries, including Algeria, Burkina Faso, Benin, Chad, Cape Verde, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, The Gambia and Tunisia. Whilst the project is less than 20% towards its 2030 goal, not only have lots of trees been planted but also there are many reported social and economic improvements ( see website https://www.greatgreenwall.org/). These are stated on the website as : Growing gender equity, empowering women with new opportunities Growing green jobs Growing economic opportunities to boost small business and commercial enterprise.

Growing resilience to climate change in a region where temperatures are rising faster than anywhere else on Earth.

Growing resilience to climate change in a region where temperatures are rising faster than anywhere else on Earth.

Growing a symbol of interfaith harmony across Africa.

Not having previously heard of this project, your editor was intrigued to hear a piece about this on the World Service the other night with Malian musician Inna Modja (pic.) Catch it on BBC Sounds at : https:// www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w3ct1pf7

11

Ashley Church Organ and its players Peter Shone You will probably know that Ashley Church has one of the finest tracker action pipe organs in the area, a fact repeated by all the visiting organists, professional and semiprofessional, who play it.

It seems rather selfish that I should be the only cal person to play it and we would like to offer the portunity for others to take up organ-playing.

loop-

We have made links with the Royal School of Church Music who are able to arrange professional tuition.

Interested applicants would need to be at grade 5 piano level. The lessons would be self-financed except younger students may qualify for an assisted grant from the RSCM. If you already an experienced organist we would like to extend to you an invitation to play this instrument. I can guarantee your delight.

I would be very pleased to answer any questions you may have and to send you full details of the organ specification.

Peter Shone Organist and Choirmaster, Ashley Parish Church tel 01630 672538 email P.Shone@btinternet.com

The Organist A poem by G. W. Stevens I wonder how the organist can do so many things; He’s getting ready long before the choir stands up and sings; He’s pressing buttons, pushing stops, he’s pulling here and there, And testing all the working parts, while listening to the prayer. …

Read the whole poem at http://reynoldsorgans.com/blog/?p=276

12

13

14

JASMINE GOES WALKIES via ROAD WORKS

It is a fantastic day, the sun is shining and there is a cool breeze. My ears are blowing backwards for extra ventilation as it is rather warm for a dog wearing a fur coat. We all had a shower on Saturday in our favourite shampoo “Dogsbody” so my coat is so shiny you need to wear shades! Mum said we all smelled a bit doggy don’t ask what Mum thought we should smell of however we all smelled of apples from an earlier dog shampoo. Not good for one`s street-cred. if you know what I mean.

On the journey here we have road works with traffic lights that delay our walk. I think I will write to the council. This morning there was a large “mechanical piece of equipment” (which means Mum does not know what it is called) - well it growled at me so I barked at it my sisters didn’t notice they like to snooze en route.

We all bark with excitement when we turn and drive up the dusty holefilled road as it rocks us from side to side. Mum has a problem reversing as she cannot see through three heads filling the back window so, using mirrors, we reverse slowly up to a little hill that makes it easy for Honey and Primrose to jump out and in. Honey jumps out first off her lead then us two next but we keep our leads on until we have walked through the bracken. You need to be a giraffe as it is at least 8 feet high and if it has rained in the night mum gets soaked.

Leads off now and off we race across the picnic field through the gate and up the hill. Mum does a head count as Honey tends to spend time sniffing and we might carry on walking and lose her as her eyesight is not as good these days (she was 12 the other week). And now I am pleased to announce I can see the water and it is quite deep enough to swim in. This is so exciting Honey races down and in she plops.

Posie next and finally yours truly me! I like to jump in and make a splash. Well we will not smell like pampered pooches now Mum. We all love swimming so we follow the stream on our walks there and back giving us ample opportunities to do doggy paddle. I am very proficient, Mum says, I am so graceful in the water I glide. We shake vigorously and rush into the overgrown bracken to play hide and seek. Mum can`t see us at all just a ripple in the bracken. I have made some new friends with the calves again 2 black and 2 black and white; we had to run over the bridge and shut the gate to stop them following us. Photo sent to editor.

15

The Earth's Creation Charlotte Hegarty On Day One, God created dark and light, He separated day and night, On the second day God split the sea and the sky, He made sure the sea was down low and the sky was up high, On the third day God created land, He put on it grass, trees, flowers and sand, On the fourth day God created two big lights, The sun to shine at day and the moon to shine at night, On Day Five he put in the sea fish and other creatures, In the sky he put birds with wings as their main features, On the sixth day God filled the Earth, With lots of animals who would soon give birth, Then he made boys and girls, Boys with short hair and girls with curls, On Day Seven God had a rest, So on Sunday people go to church to be blessed.

Charlotte was in Y3 at Hugo Meynell when she wrote this. She told me that she wrote the poem because she did a lesson on the topic in school. She then had to write a poem about the things she had just learned. It was first printed in the August 2015 edition of the Magazine and is reprinted here with Charlotte’s permission.

16

17

18

Linda Watson 25 remarkable years as Ashley Church Verger After 25 years as Verger at Ashley Church, Mrs Linda Watson has found, through personal circumstances, that she is unable to continue this work which she has done so brilliantly.

The thousands of people who have walked through the church doors for Funerals and Weddings have received the warmest of welcomes from Linda.

We are indebted to her and will miss her loyal services very much.

Thank you, Lin! Peter Shone, Churchwarden

' The Sanctuary Lamp ' in the Lady Chapel of St John Baptist Church The Lamp is lit all day, every day.

It reminds us of the light of Christ, and life eternal.

The Lamp can be dedicated to the memory of a departed loved one, usually for one week per year, with their name mentioned in Sunday prayers.Please contact a churchwarden for details—see last page *. (*A contribution to the Church of £5 is payable at the time of booking.)

VACANCY FOR CHURCH VERGER Owing to the retirement of Linda Watson as church verger (see above), there is a vacancy for a verger, which is a paid position (on fees).

Anyone who may be interested in considering this position should make contact with Churchwarden Peter Shone who will provide further details (email P.Shone@btinternet.com tel 01630 672538)

19

White fluffy clouds and a gentle breeze – Sue’s Mindful Walk for August Today is yet another gorgeous day - blue sky, white, fluffy clouds, a smiling sun and a gentle cool breeze. So off we go with bird song as sweet surround sound.

With the combination of sun then rain the vegetation has exploded. The gorse is least 8 feet high or more, and the path is invisible. I have my waterproof jacket on, hood up, as we had rainfall last night. As we emerge from this secret passage I would have been soaked and even the dogs are having a good shake.

Strange, as within a minute they will be plunging into the water for a swim. They love swimming around in circles - it’s great to see them so happy. Out jumps Primrose eyes, wide with excitement, then off she races after a quick shake.

At this time of year the harebells appear and it my friend Viv and I have a competition to see how has found one first. Keeping a watchful eye for these exquisite delicate pale blue, bell-shaped flowers on their thin stalks is no easy task with three dogs. Yes! There are two single flowers swaying in the breeze!

With a spring in my step we trek up the old cart track that’s dappled with sunshine and in the air floats a beautiful sweet-smelling aroma. I tilt my head backwards and look around to see where it is coming from. It is easily recognisable as honeysuckle with its large heads of yellow and pink flowers and there it is drawing me closer.

The “field of perpetual sunshine” is just beyond the gate and it clangs shut in as I step through.

It’s not just the sun in the sky but also all the buttercups swaying in the gentle breeze. Whoops, there`s a butterfly and several more, as well as bees. There is pink and white clover, dandelions and ragwort (a yellow-flowered plant with rather feathery leaves considered a weed and poisonous to cattle and rabbits but a ladybird is enjoying this one). A tiny frog is hopping in the damp grass. The fence is overgrown with brambles covered with small white flowers and dog rose has taken over resulting in a mass of wild white roses that are attracting the bees. To the right is the wet meadow area with tall spear marsh- thistles with purple fluffy heads and ragged-robin (pic.) so named due to the ragged appearance of its rose-pink flowers.

I lean over the wooden bridge, watching the water flowing beneath and reflecting on the endless beauty of nature.

Top tip: Use all of your five senses they are precious gifts to be appreciated.

20

21

22

The Transfiguration August 6 in the Anglican church calendar commemorates the event reported in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke and in the second Epistle of Peter when Jesus, Peter, James and John go to a mountain to pray. Matthew reports it thus: (17,1-9 New Revisied Standard Version, courtesy of www.biblegateway.com:

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings The Transfiguration here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for

by Raphael c.1520 Elijah. While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!’ When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Get up and do not be afraid.’ And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, ‘Tell no-one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.’

Online commentaries point out that, whilst this is one of the miracles of Jesus in the Gospels, it is unique in that it happens to Jesus himself. In Christian theology it has a special significance: the Transfiguration is a pivotal moment, and the setting on the mountain is presented as the point where human nature meets God: the meeting place for the temporal and the eternal, with Jesus himself as the connecting point, acting as the bridge between heaven and earth. (Copied from Wikipedia)

23

RUTH JEFFRIES’ MINISTRY, 2015-2021 When Rev Ruth took her first service at Ashley Methodist Church in September 2015 we were all keen to meet our new minister. She came across as a warm hearted, fun loving, self-confessed chocoholic. As we got to know her better we realised that she is a deeply spiritual person with great gifts of inspiring preaching, vision and personal encouragement.

Ruth’s love of music in many forms was quickly recognised and her considerable talents fully exploited. She established a great rapport with Peter Shone, organist and choirmaster at St John’s. Ashley, and contributed with gusto at several village events. Their performance of “Summertime” at a musical evening stunned the audience especially those who had not heard her sing before. She also sang movingly at a Songs of Praise evening organised by Peter. Together they provided unforgettable entertainment at a Befrienders’ tea party held in our church and we shall always remember her singing “The lady is a tramp” at our joint harvest supper one year. How many woman ministers have done that?!

As soon as she arrived in Market Drayton Ruth saw the potential of the Buttercross for staging a Nativity spectacular. The town will never forget the productions of Buttercross to Bethlehem. The first year attracted a huge audience which must have left an impression of the true meaning of Christmas on many who had not really thought about it before. This was a huge undertaking organised by Churches Together but Ruth was the prime mover in all of it. The last performance, sadly marred by bad weather, was nevertheless unforgettable, a big attraction being the camels that Ruth managed to track down and employ.

Ruth also made her mark in the area when we celebrated the centenary of the circuit with an exhibition of our history in the Festival Centre concluding with a show with a celebrated Christian comedian and our own gospel choir trained and conducted by Ruth. With this, as with everything, Ruth’s enthusiasm made the whole experience memorable, inspiring and great fun.

Continued on page 27

24

25

26

Goodbye, Rev. Ruth continued from page 24

Amazing as these talents are it is as a Christian minister that Ruth has served us in ways that have helped us to progress in our journey of faith through her preaching and prayer meetings as well as by her example in committee meetings and generally with people in church, in schools and as a chaplain at Stoke Heath prison.

Her flair for theatre has been directed towards worship on several memorable occasions. At our Christingle service in 2019 she contrived to bind two children together as an orange and decorated them with all the trappings of a Christingle explaining the significance of each as she went. Just as powerfully dramatic presentations have driven home a serious message such as Maundy Thursday when she humbly washed the feet of almost the entire congregation and was visibly moved when Jill then washed hers. During Holy Week those who followed her Journey of the Cross, where each station was beautifully reconstructed inviting prayer and meditation, were eternally grateful for the experience.

Those who have suffered severe illness or bereavement during Ruth’s ministry have benefited, in a way known only to them, from her genuine warmth, compassion and positive spiritual guidance. Such instances reveal a very different side to Ruth’s personality and Christian practice.

During the past eighteen months Ruth, as all ministers, has been faced with unprecedented difficulties in holding their congregation together through closures and lockdowns. With the aid of several very talented musicians and technicians at Market Drayton she produced regular weekly services online which provided source material for many other churches as well as providing the nearest possible worship experience without fail for all ages. These were followed by zoom coffee mornings which proved a real lifeline for the isolated.

With so much to be grateful for we were sad to learn that Ruth would be leaving us this summer but we pray for every blessing for her and her family as they move on to new pastures at Swan Bank where her talents will be very much appreciated too.

Margaret Maxwell

See also page 27 27

Revd Ruth Jeffries is leaving us in August and this photo was taken after her penultimate service at Ashley.

Left to right - Margaret Maxwell, June Hodgkins, Revd Ruth Jeffries, Rod Smith (organist), Ron Lucas (church secretary) Jill Harrison, Keith Harrison

SEE MORE PHOTOGRAPHS ON OTHER PAGES

28

WITH THE LARK Paul Lawrence Dunbar (1872-1905) Night is for sorrow and dawn is for joy, Chasing the troubles that fret and annoy; Darkness for sighing and daylight for song,-Cheery and chaste the strain, heartfelt and strong.

All the night through, though I moan in the dark, I wake in the morning to sing with the lark.

Deep in the midnight the rain whips the leaves, Softly and sadly the wood-spirit grieves.

But when the first hue of dawn tints the sky, I shall shake out my wings like the birds and be dry; And though, like rain-drops, I grieved through the dark, I shall wake in the morning to sing with the lark.

On the high hills of heaven, some morning to be, Where the rain shall not grieve thro' the leaves of the tree, There my heart will be glad for the pain I have known, For my hand will be clasped in the hand of mine own; And though life has been hard and death's pathway been dark, I shall wake in the morning to sing with the lark.

Born in Dayton, Ohio, on June 27, 1872, Paul Laurence Dunbar was one of the first African American literary figures to garner critical acclaim on a national scale. Although he lived just thirty-three years, Dunbar's contributions in a variety of genres left a legacy that endures today. During the final ten years of his life, Dunbar wrote prolifically, turning out poetry, short stories, novels, lyrics, and a variety of narrative works. Although only 33 when he died, his legacy, most notably his dialect poetry, influenced many writers of the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s. Regarded as one of the leading African American writers of the 20th century, Dunbar and his work continue to fuel academic debates. In recent years, new collections of his work have added more than 100 undiscovered or uncollected poetic and narrative works by Dunbar to the already large body of his writings.

Taken in its entirety, Dunbar's extensive body of work provides a significant representation of African American life at the turn of the twentieth century.

[Edited from: https://www.libraries.wright.edu/special/dunbar/]

29

30

31

32

Mary Sumner, Founder of the Mothers’ Union, 1921 Is commemorated by the Anglican Church On AUGUST 9

Faithful and loving God, who called Mary Sumner to strive for the renewal of family life: give us the gift of your Holy Spirit, that through word, prayer and deed your family may be strengthened and your people served; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Psalm 121

33

SCHOOL NOISES by Charlotte Hegarty Stomp, stomp Children coming through the door Clip, clop Teacher down the corridor Chatter, chatter Children talking during break Scrape, scrape Caretaker gardening with the rake Munch, munch Lunchtime in the dinner hall Kick, kick Children playing with a ball Ding, ding There's the bell Uh-oh The teacher fell.

Charlotte was at Hugo Meynell School when she wrote this poem. It’s reprinted here with her kind permission.

Anyone for tennis?

Summer’s here and the two grass tennis courts at Wetwood may be just the place for you and your family, especially over the school holidays. It is a good and reasonably priced local facility, and we at Broughton Tennis Club would like to keep it so for many years to come. All are welcome to join.

The courts are behind Broughton Parish Room at Wetwood (ST21 6NWr, on the B5026 between Loggerheads and Croxton) and membership entitles you to go along and play whenever you wish. The subscriptions for the season are as follows: Adults £20, Juniors (under 16) £10, Family membership £40, Visitors £5.

For more information or to join, please contact Judy Thompstone ( 01630 673104) or Louise Butter (01630 620479).

34

35

36

Hymns that mean a lot to us Number 111

God be in my head (attributed to Pynson’s Horae) God be in my head, and in my understanding; God be in mine eyes, and in my looking; God be in my mouth, and in my speaking; God be in my heart, and in my thinking; God be at mine end, and at my departing.

If you were looking for the perfect hymn, this could be a prime contender. Usually sung to the eponymous tune “God be in my head” by Sir Henry Walford Davies (1869-1941) (picture), this is one of the shortest (and oldest) hymns in “Ancient and Modern”. It is reminiscent of an “affirmation”, instructions or commands that one might give to oneself on how you want things to be. There are five, one-line verses, each in the same format - eyes/looking; mouth/speaking and so on: a masterpiece of brevity.

According to the website “Hymntime”, its source is the Sarum Primer (1538), a “Book of Hours” or psalter frequently designed for lay people. Our hymnbook, Ancient and Modern New Standard gives the source as Pynson’s Horae, 1514. Richard Pynson was one of the first printers and produced many influential books (Source: Wikipedia). The actual author is unknown.

Walford Davies (pic.) was born in Oswestry and studied under Hubert Parry and C.V. Stanford after winning a choral scholarship to St George’s Chapel Windsor.

After the death of Elgar, he was Master of the King’s Music. He wrote many pieces of church and orchestral music.

Walford Davies’ tune begins with a simple melody introduction of the phrase God be in my head on the organ/piano before four verses of four-part harmony. No doubt to give added weight, gravitas and a sense of conclusion to the final verse, the bass line splits into two parts, to give five-part harmony, a richer, deeper tone.

This is a prayer suitable for all occasions - weddings, funerals - or just for everyday. Sung, it has majesty, depth and spiritual power. What more could one

want?

“Music is God’s gift to man, the only art of Heaven given to earth, the only art of earth we take to Heaven.”

– J.S. Bach

37

Prayer for a summer’s day Mary Oliver

I don't know exactly what a prayer is.

I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass, how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields, which is what I have been doing all day.

Tell me, what else should I have done?

Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?

Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? excerpt from: The Summer Day by Mary Oliver New and Selected Poems, 1992, Beacon Press, Boston, MA For full poem see www.loc.gov/poetry/180/133.html

COLLECT: for August 9 in celebration of:

Mary Sumner, Founder of the Mothers’ Union,1921 Faithful and loving God, who called Mary Sumner to strive for the renewal of family life:

give us the gift of your Holy Spirit, that through word, prayer and deed your family may be strengthened and your people served; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

Source www.churchofengland.org

38

39

40

41

A STUDY OF THE HISTORY OF ASHLEY: PART 7 M. Mark Pownall The poorer members of the community also found their place in the Parish records.10 The overseers of the poor, appointed from the parish, kept annual accounts detailing their expenses. The poor endured “examinations” removal orders for those who were chargeable to other parishes, certificates of settlement to give proof of their place of origin- in fact all the many documents that resulted from the complex laws passed to deal with the poor between the 16th and 18th centuries.

Land in the Parish was rented out to provide funds for the poor. In 1746, for example, John Wharton of the Wellings rented “several closes….of situate within the Parish of Ashley….adjoining to a certain lane there called the Womberdine Lane, formerly in three parts divided but now in two and called the Pinshutts and also one butt of land lying in a certain field….called the Stony Dalefield, adjoining the land of John Biddulph of the field” In 1756, an agreement was reached between the parish overseers and Thomas Hall of Park House that Hall would “maintain, provide for and keep all the poor belonging to the parish (of Ashley) “and in return for an annual sum of £28, would provide “wholesome and sufficient meat, drink, washing and lodging” for 3 years. The provision of “indoor relief” was later carried out by agreement in 1773 in the Audley workhouse – by an elaborate arrangement that made sure that Audley Parish did not become responsible for any extra charges. “no poor person who is sent to be delivered of any bastard child or otherwise so as to cause any person to be settled or burthensome to the Parish of Audley.” These arrangements must have been temporary as Ashley had its own workhouse at a later date. Under the reorganisation of the Poor Law in 1834, Ashley became a part of the Market Drayton Poor Law Union, which then, from1838, administered “indoor relief”.

In comparative terms, considerable amounts of money were involved in the administration of the Poor Laws. In 1821, for example, the overseers accounts totalled £407 of which half went in weekly pensions. It was too a complicated system and through its workings, something can be seen of the lives of those at the lower end of the social spectrum. Individuals, otherwise unknown, are named and investigated: a young unmarried girl has to name the father of the illegitimate child; A young father of such a child is served with an affiliation order, requiring 12 shillings “towards the lying-in, “9 shillings and 6 pence for expenses “incident to the birth” and 2 shillings weekly for the maintenance of the child; a family of four is served with a removal order to send them back to Newport, Shropshire, as their place of “last legal settlement” in order that they will not be chargeable to Ashley.

To be continued

42

43

44

A tribute to Jenny Hodgkiss

“Of course I’ll help you” was how so many people will remember Jenny Hodgkiss who died on the 20th March, 2020. Jenny worked at Loggerheads Co-op for 26 years, since it started and in fact Co-op Manager Mandy was chief bridesmaid at her marriage to Terry at Hookgate Chapel. A member of the gardening club, history club, and one of the founders of the Turner Hodgkiss Nature Reserve, Jenny led an active life thinking of others, always first in the kitchen when it came to making tea for everyone.

Sadly only five people were able to attend her funeral led by Revd Sara Humphries, but Terry said he felt so moved by all her friends lining the streets and surrounding Ashley Church yard on the day of the burial.

Jenny’s Co-op family organised everything, “They couldn’t do enough for me and have planted a lovely tree in dedication to Jenny outside the shop”, said Terry.

Jenny was born in Hookgate, not a hundred yards from where husband Terry was born. They both attended Ashley School (now the Surgery) and came to live together at Ivy House Farm, a property that had been in Terry’s family for hundreds of years including when it was an Old Coaching Inn – called ‘The Mop and Two Broom Sticks’.

Terry would like everyone to know how grateful he is for all the help and support he has been given in his bereavement. He is comforted, knowing the affection people had for Jenny. She was a face at the Co-op everyone will miss, even if they didn’t know her name.

Jenny was also a deliverer of this Church Magazine which Terry has kindly agreed to continue doing.

It is hoped a short memorial service will be held for Jenny later in the year.

45

August 29th is a “Lesser Festival” in the Anglican Calendar commemorating the Beheading of John the Baptist The liturgical commemoration of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist is almost as old as that commemorating his birth, which is one of the oldest feasts, if not the oldest, introduced into both the Eastern and Western liturgies to honour a saint.

The picture shows The Nabi Yahya Mosque (Arabic: ‫جامع النبي‬ ,‎‫يحيى‬Jama'a Nabi Yahya, meaning "mosque of the Prophet John") is the main mosque in the village of Sebastia, near Nablus, Palestine. It is located in the central square of the village. It is constructed of large, buttressed walls. Within its courtyard, a stairway in the small domed building leads down into a cave.

There are six burial niches here, among them are tombs traditionally identified as the burial places of Elisha, Obadiah, and John the Baptist. Gruesome as the festival of his beheading is, it has long been seen as commemorating one of the principal historical events of the Christian church, and sources such as Wikipedia have a lot of detail of the various events, and art works depicting it. [SOURCE: Wikipedia] COLLECT FOR THE DAY

Almighty God, who called your servant John the Baptist to be the forerunner of your Son in birth and death: strengthen us by your grace that, as he suffered for the truth, so we may boldly resist corruption and vice and receive with him the unfading crown of glory; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

46

47

48

Idyllic Summer Holidays in Cornwall.

Ian Wells shares some holiday memories We drove through the night. Excitement enough for a five year old stretched out on the back seat and her nine year old brother, trying to sleep on a hard wooden surf board, laid out between the back and front seats of the car.

Mum was wedged in the passenger seat with a map and a torch, unable to move for all our luggage. Travelling at that time enabled us to take advantage of relatively quiet roads. It was a long way from Birmingham to south Cornwall, well before the days of the M5 and the arrival of Satnav; and it was a disaster to take a wrong turn while towing a caravan, or even a large trailer with a tent in it! Reversing was not recommended!

This was how our summer holidays began for some eight years, beginning in 1955. My parents were both in the teaching profession and always made the most of holidays, as holidays they really were in those days. We rushed home on the last day of term, had something to eat and then left. Mum, in particular, must have spent several days preparing to enable us to leave so promptly; and we would not be home again for nearly six weeks, just before the start of the autumn term. I have no recollection of what happened to the garden during our absence. It must have become a jungle!

Mum did not drive and so, somewhere around Exeter, we would stop in a convenient layby for Dad to get some rest, and for us all to stretch our legs. Then it would take another couple of hours to get to our caravan and camping site, which was at Porth Farm on the Roseland Peninsula, owned and run by Farmer Emmett, and which had been recommended by one of Dad’s colleagues. We would arrive shortly after dawn and, with parental warnings to be quiet, so as not to disturb still sleeping campers, my sister and I would run barefoot straight to the beach, feel the cool sand pushing between our toes and splash around in the icy shallows. Here we were again, back in our own little paradise!

The site consisted of two very large fields, both of which enjoyed easy access to the adjacent long sandy beach. In early days, the second field was largely empty but, after a few years, both fields were almost full of a mixture of mainly caravans, and a few tents here and there. Word had got around!

Continued on page 50

The Ashley Parish Magazine is produced by members of Ashley St John Parish Church. It is delivered monthly to over 600 houses in the Ashley area. Contributions are welcome: please contact the Editor (see last page). SUBSCRIPTIONS for the printed version of the Mag are £5 per year. Larger donations are welcome, and contribute to church funds. Please contact CAROLE SHONE (contact details on last page ) to have a Magazine delivered monthly to your house (Ashley and Loggerheads area). An online version of the current monthly issue in “flipbook” format is posted on the Loggerheads Benefice website (theloggerheadsbenefice.org) on the first day of each month.

49

Idyllic Summer Holidays in Cornwall. (continued from page 49) I recall little of our first year there, but the second year, 1956, was memorable for several reasons. Our large army surplus tent was severely tested.

One night, a severe storm had been forecast, and we abandoned the tent to sleep in the car. The forecast was correct and there was terrific rain and wind! We did not get much sleep! Every hour or so Dad left the car, and went around the tent with a mallet, hammering all the tent pegs back into place! When he returned to the car, he had to take off his wellies and empty them of water! Many tents were blown down that night. In the morning, some very kind neighbours, having witnessed all this, invited us into their caravan for breakfast. They had children of the same sort of age as my sister and I, and we spent a lot of time together for the next couple of weeks before they had to return home. This was the beginning of a lifelong friendship with this family, and also their friends in the next caravan, whom we met there every year after that, and I still exchange Christmas cards with two of them.

During the same storm, this family’s new sailing dinghy was blown off the cliff top before it had been used. The drop was about ten feet, and it was badly damaged. They managed to repair it but it had a permanent slight leak.

The storm must have made a big impression on my parents, as the following year we returned with a brand new shiny caravan! [to be continued]

Song by T.S. Eliot (1888-1965) If space and time, as sages say, Are things which cannot be, The fly that lives a single day Has lived as long as we.

But let us live while yet we may, While love and life are free, For time is time, and runs away, Though sages disagree.

The flowers I sent thee when the dew Was trembling on the vine, Were withered ere the wild bee flew To suck the eglantine.

But let us haste to pluck anew Nor mourn to see them pine, And though the flowers of love be few Yet let them be divine.

50

51

52

Diary of a Grandad The lovely weather has been great for barbeques and we’ve been lucky to be invited opposite chez Charlotte and Ellie and, next door chez Aimee, Callum, and Daniel for same.

Ellie, apart from school work, told us that she is learning some new dances. It will be a delight to have a performance in due course. She entertained us with riddles, like “A plane crashed into a building with 1000 people in it. 102 people died. Where did they bury the survivors?” Grandad didn’t get it for a while!

Callum enjoys cooking. One of his specialities is grilled halloumi cheese, to go with the usual burgers and sausages and salads. He also loves his creation, “Spicy Rice” which I hope to get the recipe for soon to share with you all.

Aimee is getting more confident on her pony (Nancy) and we watched her going round the paddock faster and faster and JUMPING over a low “fence” under the watchful eye of her teacher. Grandad thought he noticed that the pony, trotting (cantering?) not walking, leaned into the turn as she rounded the corner of the paddock (as on a bike) so obviously the rider must do that too—or could topple off. (Worth remembering in case Grandad decides to take up riding as I have only ridden horses so far in a straight line.)

Of course, the boys are keen on their electronic gadgets: Daniel appeared to be watching endless football which, it being post-Euros, Grandad could not understand. It turned out it was a video game and he was controlling the player who had the ball. (That’s as much as Grandad could understand: he wondered about how you could possibly control all the movements s of the other players, not to mention the referee.)

Charlotte had to do work experience for a week from school. It was a great opportunity to host it at Keele University where Grandad works*. Inter alia, during the week she had a project to do from Prof. Nicky who is professor of neuropsychology. This entailed testing the memory-for-faces (Dad was the guinea-pig) using professional neuropsychology tests. He did very well but a little bird told me that he was peeved when he had to draw a complicated geometric pattern from memory without having been warned, which of course was deliberate. At the end of the week we clapped loudly when C. gave a presentation about the week in the large lecture theatre of the Dorothy Hodgkin Building. It was special, because Grandad has given hundreds of lectures in this theatre over 52 years at Keele. [* Not when you read this. I will have retired!]

53

The Loggerheads Benefice ASHLEY St John the Baptist CHURCH RECTOR: The Rev’d Dr. David Isiorho 01630 672939 m.07484630582 Email: david.isiorho@outlook.com CHURCHWARDEN: Peter Shone 01630 672538. Jan Warren jan.warren@btinternet.com ASSOCIATE MINISTER: The Rev’d Sara Humphries rev.sara.humphries@gmail.com 01630 673740.

BENEFICE ADMINITRATOR: Denise Keen loggerheadsbeneficeinfo@gmail.com 07761446753 CHURCH VERGER: Position vacant

LAY READERS: Anna Mortimer 01630 672804 Dr Roger Pooley 01630 673292 Professor Emeritus Dr Helen Dent 01630 673292 ORGANIST/CHOIRMASTER: Peter Shone: 01630 672538 .p.shone@btinternet.com CHURCH AND COMMUNITY CHOIR: Peter Shone (contact details above) YOUNG PEOPLE: Chair of Management Committee: Jill Cheadle 01630 673968 e-mail : jillclogg@aol.com MAGAZINE EDITOR: John Hegarty 01630 653912 j.r.hegarty@gmail.com MAGAZINE ADVERTISING: Anthony Deere: anthony@loggerheads.me.uk 01630 672820 MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTION: Carole Shone: 01630 672538 caroleshone21@gmail.com BENEFICE WEBMASTER: Roger Bloor: 01782 799262 bloor.world@btinternet.com BAPTISMS, and WEDDINGS : Please contact the Rector (see above) FUNERAL;S: Please contact the Benefice Administrator Denise Keen (see above) RETIRED PRIEST: Reverend Roger Legg.

Cover: Gulls were sitting on the same car in the Falmouth car park (where Cousin-Betty-from-Cornwall lives) several days running. Photo: Editor

BENEFICE SERVICES AND READINGS FOR AUGUST

54

55

56