The
Spire
North Holmwood’s Parish Magazine www.stjnh.org.uk
St John the Evangelist Church, North Holmwood Vicar (day off – Saturday) The Revd Stuart Tanswell vicar@stjohns-northholmwood.info 01306 882135 Pastoral Assistant Margaret Teale ............... ................................................................ 01306 252004 Churchwardens: Mary Membrillera ........... mjmembrillera@hotmail.com ............ 01306 877021 Jim Edwards .................... jimandjane@talktalk.net .................... 01306 879902 Reader Gordon Bates ................ ................................................................ 01306 884154 PCC Secretary PCC Treasurer Lynn Jennings ................. ................................................................ 01306 882614 Baptisms Jill Spence ...................... ................................................................ 01306 876901 Choir Sandy Newton ................ ................................................................ 01306 889384 Flowers Hazel Gibson .................. ................................................................ 01306 886538 Gift Aid and Electoral Roll Jane Collard .................. j.collard@btinternet.com ................... 01306 876652 Intercessions Janet Chipps ................. ................................................................ 01306 881548 Prayer Chain Sandy Newton ................ ................................................................ 01306 889384 Homegroup Co-ordinator Caroline Lazenby ........... caroline.lazenby254@gmail.com ..... 01306 640208 Junior Church and C4yourself Jane Schofield ................ janeschofield@hotmail.co.uk ........... 07771 591457 Organist Magazine Jim Edwards…….the.spire@stjohns-northholmwood.info........ 01306 879902 Readings Gordon Bates ................ ................................................................ 01306 884154 Sacristans Steve Harris ...................... ................................................................ 01306 710162 Servers Steve Harris ...................... ................................................................ 01306 710162 Mothers’ Union Gill Collins......................... ................................................................ 01306 500157
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St John the Evangelist Church, Inholms Lane, North Holmwood, DORKING, RH5 4JH Sunday services: 8am 10am 10am
Holy Communion First Sunday each month: Family Service Other Sundays: Parish Eucharist
Monday 10.30am Morning Prayer Tuesday 4.30pm Evening Prayer Friday 8.30am Eucharist: vicar available until 10.30am The Church is normally open daily for private prayer from 9.00am. Please see the Church notice board for details of other services.
St John’s Church contact details: Parish Office 01306 868441 Pastoral Line 01306 868941 Community Building bookings 01306 868441 Church Text Message 0770-673-2222
COMMUNION AT HOME If you are housebound and unable to get to church at St John’s, we can arrange for communion to be brought to you at home by a member of our authorised team of communion assistants. Please contact Stuart 01306 882135. North Holmwood Community Karate .................................. 07970 408260 Circuit training ........................ 01306 711920 Tumble Tots ............................. 07739 517627 Village Hall (Chairman) ......... 01306 883808 Village Hall (Bookings) ........... 07712 224681 Village Hall (Caretaker) ........ 01306 740757 Community Building bookings . 01306 868441 North Holmwood Sports Club 01306 889764 Dorking Golf Club .................. 01306 886917 Ballet classes ........................... 01737 247795 Norfolk Court .......................... 01306 876474 Stanecroft ............................... 01306 876567 Dorking Volunteer Centre ..... 01306 640369
Police ....................................... 101 Mole Valley District Council .. 01306 885001 National Trust Warden ........... 01306 712711 Brockwood GP Surgery .......... 01306 885802 Community Playlink ................ 01306 740095 North Holmwood Pre-School . 07931 212006 St John’s C of E School ........... 01306 884506 Guiding: Brownies .................. 01306 876428 Scouting enquiries .................. 07769 222218 Bridge Club ............................. 01306 882849 Chart Downs Social Club ...... 01306 500310 Drama Group ......................... 01306 887416 Surrey Hills Dance Centre ...... 01306 883808 Goodwyns Social Club .......... 01306 500614
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The
Spire
is produced by St John’s Church for North Holmwood. There are ten issues each year and we make no charge. We deliver around the parish. If you would like a copy delivered please e-mail the.spire@stjohns-northholmwood.info or phone John Daulman 01306 885943. The next issue of The Spire covers February 2017. Material should be with the editor by 15th January please. Jim Edwards 01306 879902 4 Chartwell Court Grange, 35 Highacre, Dorking RH4 3BF e-mail the.spire@stjohns-northholmwood.info
Editor:
We welcome articles of general or local interest. Ideally these should be e-mailed in Word (or text) format, with illustrations as jpegs or pngs. The editor may amend or shorten material submitted. Articles represent the views of the individual contributors. Some articles and illustrations come from “The Parish Pump”, a national web-site that provides magazine material for churches. We are very grateful to all those who advertise in this magazine and allow us to produce it without charge to our readers; however publication does not necessarily imply an endorsement of the product. Advertising manager: Margaret Teale, telephone 01306 252004 or email margaret_teale@sky.com Advertising copy: the.spire@stjohns-northholmwood.info or telephone Jim Edwards 01306 879902 Proof reading: Jane Coombes Printing: John Daulman, Eileen Daulman, Ann Phillips Distribution: John Daulman 01306 885943 4
Dear friends, As we move into December, into Advent, we enter a new church year. A month later, of course, we begin a new calendar year – 2017. Coming into Advent we begin to get ready for Christmas, we get ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus – the Messiah – around 2000 years ago. As we move into this new era there is the opportunity to take stock of where we are now. The chance to remember what has happened during this last year – to celebrate the wonderful things which have happened and to ponder the not-so-good things. What can we learn from them? What can we do to change the result of them? What are we going to try different in future? A bit like a New Year’s Resolution really. In the parish we have had the wonderful experience of the new Community Building taking shape and being opened by Bishop Andrew. We have experienced the joys of Caroline and Jane being given the go-ahead to begin training to become priests. We have been delighted to hear about St John’s School being judged to be good by OFSTED. There are many others, and we should make sure to celebrate them. On the other hand, there have been many sorrows. We mourn the loss of friends – reassured that death is not the end but, at the same time, hurting at being parted from those we love. We have seen terrorism increase in the world. In the aftermath of the EU Referendum here in the UK we have seen quite clear evidence of discrimination against people from other countries. Again, there are many other examples of things which haven’t gone so well this year – in our lives, in the parish, in the UK and in the world. As we journey through Advent, through Christmas, Epiphany, and to Candlemass (the Presentation of the baby Jesus in the Temple), we are challenged to consider what it means that God chose to be born as a vulnerable baby. What does it mean that God chose to walk around this planet with a body like mine or yours? What does it mean that God was so concerned with humanity to want to 5
experience all the joys and sorrows that life can throw at anyone? As we journey through Advent, as we get ready for Christmas, what plans do we have for our lives in the next phase, commonly known as 2017?
Wishing you every blessing, Stuart
Curry Evening at the Red Chilli Monday, 5th December, at 7.00pm In response to popular demand we are having another curry evening at the Red Chilli restaurant in Mid-Holmwood. It is to be held on Monday, 5th December at 7.00pm and we do hope that as many as possible will be able to come and bring friends. Tickets cost ÂŁ20, which includes a two course meal with coffee and a generous donation to the Community Building Appeal. There will also be a raffle. These evenings have been very successful in the past, with a convivial atmosphere, excellent food and a great deal of laughter! The staff at the Red Chilli have always made us most welcome and we do hope you will come along and enjoy the evening. Tickets will be available in church or you can reserve them via Jane Stride on 01306 883321. If you can pay cash it would be very helpful!
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Ordinands’ Offering Jane Schofield and Caroline Lazenby are training to become ordained ministers in the Church of England. They write: As we approach the end of our first complete term, it is with a mixture of relief at the hope of watching TV without feeling bad as there is so much to do and slight sadness at this temporary cessation of the exciting journey! We had our first residential weekend in November, where we not only did a huge amount of studying and learning, but we also got to properly know our fellow students and began to forge new friendships that will last for three years at least and hopefully beyond. We received our marked assignments on “The Theology of Baptism expressed in your Church” – that’s one down and goodness knows how many to go. This month in addition to our Monday evenings in Guildford we have a study day when we will be visiting a Jewish Synagogue in the morning to attend a family service and a Buddhist Temple in the afternoon where we will be given a tour and also an introduction into Buddhist principles. Then, after the holiday that will no doubt pass far too quickly, we have another residential weekend in January on the subject of “Developing Preaching in the Contemporary World”. Lots to learn, not only about theology but also about ourselves. Thank you very much for the interest and encouragement you continue to give us both.
Happy Christmas,
Caroline and Jane 7
Bible readings 2nd Sunday of Advent 4th December Family Christingle Service Readings to be arranged 11th December Isaiah 35:1-10
3rd Sunday of Advent James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11
18th December Isaiah 7:10-16
4th Sunday of Advent Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-25
24th December Isaiah 52:7-10
Midnight Mass (11.30pm) Hebrews 1:1-4 John 1:1-14
25th December Isaiah 9:2-7
Christmas Day All-Age Celebration Eucharist Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-20
2017 1st January Family Service
Christmas 2 Readings to be arranged
8th January Isaiah 60:1-6
Epiphany Ephesians 3:1-12
Matthew 2:1-12
15th January Isaiah 42:1-9
Baptism of Christ Acts 10:34-43
Matthew 3:13-17
22nd January Isaiah 9:1-4
Epiphany 3 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 Matthew 4:12-23
29th January 1 Kings 17:8-16
Epiphany 4 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 John 2:1-11
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CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL 9th, 10th and 11th December 2016 Thank you all for your generous response to our 3rd Annual Christmas Tree Festival. As I write there are still a couple of trees available for you to decorate so please contact Jackie, Margaret or Hazel if you would like to decorate one. Think about a title for your tree and let me know what it is. The title and your name/group will be placed in the programme. Please ring or email Jackie on or before 30th November with this information. (Contact details below) Tickets for the Cheese and Wine Party and Entertainment on 9th December at 7.00pm are available for £5 each. You can buy tickets from any one of the Festival committee or in Church after the 10.00am service. Alternatively, please email Jackie. We are thrilled to welcome back to St John’s the award-winning Vocal Dimension Chorus and their Director, Valerie Taylor. Once again, members of Beginners Please, our church play-reading group, will be reading. The pink and purple knitted tree has really captured imaginations and we are doing extremely well. Thank you for all your knitted squares; we are not there yet and, as they (almost) say on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’: Keep Knitting. We will be accepting knitted squares up to and including 8th December. We shall be asking for volunteers to bake and donate food for the afternoon refreshments on Saturday and Sunday. Provide whatever you like, savoury or sweet: sausage rolls, little sandwiches, mince pies, cakes, tray-bakes, biscuits… home-baked or bought, all would be welcome. We are also looking for volunteers to help with the refreshments on the Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Even if you are only able to help for an hour or so that would be lovely. There is a sheet pinned up at the back of the church for you to sign; alternatively contact Jane Coombes (876571) or Jackie regarding this.
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Hazel’s and Margaret’s contact details are published on the inside cover of The Spire. Jackie’s phone numbers are: 01306 887416 and 07770 885003. Alternatively you can email her on jaxrance@gmail.com All the monies collected at The Christmas Tree Festival 2016 will go to the St John’s Community Building Fund.
Jackie Rance
If you are over 55 and live in the Mole Valley area, you can use Age Concern’s free computer courses based in either Dorking or Leatherhead. The course runs once a week for 6-8 weeks with the option of additional weeks to reinforce and build on what you’ve learned. Topics covered will include: internet browsing, basic keyboard and mouse skills, using an iPad/Tablet, setting up and using your own email or skype accounts and how to shop on the internet as well. Those who already own a laptop or an iPad/Tablet are encouraged to bring that to learn on, but computers will be provided as well – it’s up to you! We are also looking for volunteer help with our Dorking course on a Thursday between the hours of 10.15am to 2.15pm. If you have basic skills in tablet and computer use, have clear communication skills and a friendly and patient personality, then please contact us for more information on ways you can help. Before coming to the course, you must register your interest by telephoning 07442 017169 / 01306 899104 or by email: info@ageconcernmolevalley.org.uk Registered Charity No 1111678 12
This is an updated version of the guide we print each year. We make no apologies for repeating it and hope that it will prove useful in planning for Christmas at St John’s. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Christmas Planning …… What, When and How! Any of us knows the feeling of slight panic when looking at the list of ‘what’s coming up’ at Church. Faced with so many dates and such variety, the temptation to do nothing suddenly seems very inviting. So here is a guide to the services themselves, so that you can make your own decisions about which ones to attend or bring your friends to, or miss! No-one could make all these services and there’s nothing to be gained by pretending otherwise. However, there is a considerable amount to be gained by attending some! When you look at the programme of events, though, please bear these things in mind…. If you’ve thought a service wasn’t for you, try it and see – God has a strange habit of getting through to us when we least expect it. If you are away for Christmas, see if you can find out in advance which services are available where you are staying (try www.achurchnearyou.org). If you are living in a home where most people aren’t involved in Church, it helps them to know your plans. Don’t just dash off to a service at a critical moment in the preparations. If, despite all your intentions, you just can’t make a service, try to have a quiet time by yourself to read the first few chapters of Luke’s gospel – and then to reflect on what they mean for you. Now for the guide to December and Christmas special events: Sunday 4th December 10.00am: ALL-AGE SERVICE – BAPTISM SHELLS and CHRISTINGLE All who have been baptised during the last year at St John’s are invited to come to this service, with their families, to be “officially” welcomed and to receive their baptism shells. We will also have Christingles at this service. 13
Friday 9th 7.00pm – 9.00pm, and Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th 2.00pm – 5.00pm: NORTH HOLMWOOD CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL Full details are on pages 11 and 12 in this magazine.
Sunday 18th December 6.00pm: CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT If you are looking for an authentic and atmospheric carol service, this is it! We sing favourite carols and hear again the story of the first Christmas. The service is about an hour long, with traditional eats afterwards. All ages are very welcome. This year, once again, we are pleased to welcome the Loud and Proud Community Choir to take part in the service.
Monday 19th December 6.30pm: FATHER CHRISTMAS and CAROL SINGING Again, St John’s have been invited to take carol sheets and “lead” the singing at the Royal Oak in an informal setting. Please do come along and bring friends and family!!! We hope that Father Christmas will arrive at 6.30pm and the carols will start at 7.00pm.
Friday 23rd December 10.00am: DECORATING THE CHURCH This is not a service as such, but it is a Christmas activity. If you would like to help we will be in church on Friday morning. Please join us for some of the time and bring either scissors or secateurs with you. All welcome. If you don’t want to arrange the flowers we can always find you cleaning to do! More details from Hazel on 886538. Saturday 24th December 2.00pm: CHILDREN’S CRAFT WORKSHOP and DECORATING THE CHRISTMAS TREE Lots of craft activities for children and young people in the run up to Christmas! A happy, messy, sticky and creative time is guaranteed. Activities will include decoration making and helping to decorate the church Christmas tree. Children need to be accompanied. 14
Saturday 24th December CHRISTMAS EVE 4.00pm: CRIB SERVICE The Crib Service is a perfect way of giving young children a Christmas service geared for them. It has everything that children respond to – lots to see (a nativity scene) and lots to sing. It is short – no more than half an hour – but full of meaning. Children love it and adults likewise. Shepherds and angels are particularly welcome. Help bring the true meaning of Christmas to the final countdown! Saturday 24th December CHRISTMAS EVE 11.30pm: MIDNIGHT MASS For many people, this service speaks of the beauty and mystery of Christmas like no other. There is something indescribable about going out to church in starlight and then leaving in the knowledge that Christmas morning has arrived. Everyone is welcome – you don’t have to be “Church of England” or an established churchgoer. The service lasts an hour and a half; its message (we hope) lasts longer. Sunday 25th December CHRISTMAS DAY 8am: HOLY COMMUNION (PRAYER BOOK) If you want a quiet start to Christmas – or if you were brought up on the familiar words of the 1662 service – or if you’re about to set out for the rest of the day – you might like to come to this service. It is a gentle and reflective service using the traditional Holy Communion service of the Prayer Book. The service lasts about 40 minutes. Sunday 25th December CHRISTMAS DAY 10am: CHRISTMAS ALL-AGE CELEBRATION EUCHARIST Children especially welcome. Carols and a real chance to celebrate Christmas! The service is less formal and is designed to be fairly short (about an hour) but still allows time for Christmas praise and worship. Sunday 1st January 10.15am: JOINT CHRISTMAS SERVICE at St John’s Church A chance for the members of St John’s and the Harvest Community Church to meet together at St John’s and continue the celebration of Christmas. 15
Join St John’s at the Royal Oak, Stonebridge on
Monday 19th December Father Christmas will arrive at 6.30pm Carol Singing from 7.00pm There will be goodies for all children and traditional festive nibbles and mulled wine available. Festive fun for all the family. Hope to see you there!
Calling all angels and shepherds!!!!! Come along to St John’s Church at 2.00pm on
Christmas Eve for some Nativity related crafts including making angels and shepherds costumes and decorating the Christmas Tree. Jesus’ Birthday Party is at 3.15pm, followed by a traditional Crib Service at 4.00pm.
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From Capt John Bruce Worsfold CA TSSF I still count myself as a member of St John’s Church. I was nurtured in the faith there by the Revd Ware and then by the Revd Grey. One would never call the vicar by his Christian name – it was always ‘Vicar’. I was in the choir for a number of years. The choir was very large with both boys and girls. I am sending an article for the magazine: My Great Auntie Annie was a very devout Christian. She came to stay with us one summer, when we lived at Chart Downs. I was about nine. Arriving on a Saturday the first question she asked my mum was, “Where is the nearest church?” We weren’t churchgoers but my mum told her the nearest church was the parish church a mile away, St John’s, North Holmwood, My Great Aunt said, “Well tomorrow I’m going” and pointing at me said, “and I'm taking him with me.” The next day we walked to St John’s Church, my first time in proper church. We walked to the very front pew and there we sat. When the vicar came out of the vestry I turned to my Great Aunt and said, “When I grow up that's what I'm going to do”. I had never been to church before and yet I said that. It was my Great Aunt who introduced me to the church and it was the beginning of a great journey towards a relationship with God. We often forget that a few words said at the right time can change someone's life forever. The words that changed my life were “and I’m taking him with me”. Fifteen years later I started another journey as a Franciscan Brother. After Life Profession I worked on a large council estate in Edinburgh. While there I was asked to conduct the Christian Union retreat for Edinburgh University. About twenty students attended and the Bishop of Edinburgh came on the Saturday and the Provost of Edinburgh Cathedral on the Sunday. The retreat went quite well. My godson's father, Patrick, used to make church furniture. One day he was invited to meet a priest who wanted a new altar made. Somehow Assisi was brought up in conversation and Patrick told the priest that I was his son’s godfather. The priest said, “You don’t mean Brother Bruce do you?” When Patrick said, “Yes” the priest said: “I went on a retreat conducted by him when I was at 17
Edinburgh University and it was on that retreat I decided to be ordained.” How many lives has that priest touched through his life and through his ministry? But how many more lives has my Great Aunt touched when she said, “and I’m taking him with me”. My Great Aunt was over 80 when she said those few words; it was through those words I became a practising Christian; it was also through those few words I became a Franciscan Brother; it was through those few words a man became a priest. It was through those few words that many people heard the Good News of Christ. All because my Great Auntie took me with her to St John’s Church, North Holmwood sixty seven years ago. We never know what a simple word or action can achieve. It is through our words and actions that we can influence other people and bring them to Christ. We are all called to be saints and look how the saints still continue to influence ordinary people even today. My Great Aunt died when I was fifteen and look how many lives she still continues to touch. Just think on that and let’s get on with our work of bringing others to the feet of Jesus.
Capt John Bruce Worsfold CA TSSF
Praying the Labyrinth A Quiet Day has been arranged for Saturday, 4th March 2017 in the new Community Building. The day is being led by Linda Scrivener, a Spiritual Director, and this will be a day when you can experience a gentle introduction to the labyrinth and a facilitated time of prayer and reflection on the ancient path of the labyrinth. There will be information booklets in the church very soon with more details. The day will run from 10.00am until 4.00pm and please bring your own lunch. Tea and coffee will be available all day. As numbers will be limited please contact Caroline at caroline.lazenby254@gmail.com who is taking bookings. 18
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The Harvest Community Church Stubs Hill, Goodwyns Estate, Dorking, RH4 2QD www.harvestchurchdorking.org.uk Contact: Rev Nelson Porter 01306 500116 / 07941 176412 nelson_porter372002@yahoo.co.uk SERVICES, ACTIVITIES, GROUPS, ETC Sunday service 10.30am – very relaxed and informal with contemporary worship / Bible teaching and sharing / followed by drinks & nibbles. Monthly children’s & family services (3rd Sunday of the month) – even more informal!! Sunday 6.30-7.30pm Prayer @ the church – not every week though; call for details… Wednesdays 10.00am Little Ones Parent & Toddler group (free!) Wednesdays 7.30-9.00pm Bible study group @ the church – all welcome! (other groups too) Community use In addition to the church activities, the hall is also used by other local groups and organisations and also for children’s parties and other events. If you are interested in hiring the facilities, please contact Nelson.
Little Ones The Harvest Community Church Wednesdays 10.00am – 12 noon Free Group for babies and toddlers with parents/carers All welcome 21
JOY IN A BOX APPEAL A huge thankyou to everyone who made a Christmas Box this year. A total of 86 Boxes were taken to the Romanian Aid Foundation in Horley in November to be delivered in Dorohoi, Romania in time for Christmas. That's 86 children, teenagers and adults who, without us, would have had nothing. What a wonderful achievement.
Margaret
St John’s House Group We meet in members’ homes on the first and third Thursdays of the month at 7.30pm. Since September we have been unpicking how we might go about Building Church in Changing Times and taking readings from Thessalonians to discuss encouragement, thanksgiving, prayer, conflict, love and holiness. Our sessions are led by leaders who instigate discussions which are lively, often humorous and thought provoking, which help us to grapple with issues that affect us all. We very much welcome new members and if you would like more information or to come to a session, please contact Caroline at caroline.lazenby254@gmail.com. After Christmas and in the run-up to Lent ‘Vital Christianity’ is our theme and we shall be taking our inspiration from 2 Timothy.
St John's C of E School, Dorking Christmas Fayre Friday 2nd December : 2.00pm-4:30pm Many Stalls, Christmas crafts, Tombola, Class stalls, Face painting, Hook a Bauble, Refreshments and, of course, Father Christmas plus much more. 22
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The Holmwoods Branch In October we had a talk from Janet Hails, Chair of Trustees of East Surrey Domestic Abuse Services, based at Redhill. She and a volunteer explained the work of the organisation in offering help and practical advice to people suffering domestic abuse which can take many forms. The service runs play times for children. Much of the work is done by volunteers, some of whom have experience of domestic abuse. This means they can empathise with those who are trying to escape from the problem. We learned much which horrified us of other people's lives but it is so good to hear about an organisation which is doing work to help. They need funds to keep going with this vital work. We followed this disturbing topic with a delicious lunch which Gillie Obank gave us in order to raise funds for MU projects. She made £135, a very good result. We congratulate her for this wonderful effort. Several of our members will go to the Members’ Meeting at Woodham. The Bishop of Dorking will speak to us and we will hear about activity in the branches across the diocese. In December we will go to the Cathedral for a service led by members from Newdigate. We will have lunch in the refectory. Prue Young, who has been Deanery Chairman for twenty years and has given so much, is about to move back to Australia. We will miss her enormously for her great example of faith and compassion and her organisational skills. We will give her a token of our esteem while we are in the Cathedral. Eileen Golds has an important birthday on 2nd January. Our meeting is the next day, at Eileen Daulman’s house, when we will join in the birthday celebrations. We will also look forward to our programme for 2017 and try to have a balance of outward looking topics to discuss and learn about and more domestic gatherings. We wish everyone a happy Christmas and a healthy new year.
Elizabeth and Gillie 25
The Ladybirds Choir Christmas Concert Directed by Helena Twentyman
Saturday 10th December at 3.00pm United Reformed Church Hall, West Street, Dorking RH4 1BS Tickets £7.50 from 01737 843662 Raising funds for PSDS The Ladybirds Choir warmly invites you to their Christmas Concert, which will be raising funds for PSDS, a local charity that was set up in 2006 by a group of mums including Dorking resident Helen Shiers. PSDS provides support for children with Down’s Syndrome, running a series of activities and educational programmes, and providing a host of other services which benefit both the children, their parents and all family members. The concert will be held on Saturday 10th December at 3.00pm in the United Reformed Church Hall in West Street, Dorking and the choir will present a variety of songs both well-known and less familiar. Among this year’s highlights will be a lovely setting of the German carol O Christmas Tree, the medieval carol Gaudete and a rousing rendition of Joy to the World, as well as some more lighthearted numbers such as Santa Baby and Winter Wonderland. Tea and mince pies will be served after the performance and there will also be a raffle. Tickets are priced at £7.50 and are available on the door or in advance from Jenny Abbott on 01737 843662.
Interment of Ashes 6th November 14th November
Marjorie Killick Reg Jordan
Baptism 27th November
Emma Jackalyne Kindleysides
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Sally Cranham – Your House Tour Crossways Community Baptist Church Junction Road, Dorking 7.30pm Saturday 3rd December Sally is a worship leader from Revelation Church in Chichester who grew up in Reigate and has recently moved back to the area. In the first half of the evening she will be taking a fresh look at key Scriptures and stories from the Gospels on the theme of compassion. The second half of the evening’s focus will be on the work of Eden Ministries, who minister in the red light districts of Asia. Do let me know if you plan to come along so I have an idea of numbers, either by emailing me at church@crossways.info or leaving a message on our answer phone 01306 876714.
Charlotte Baker, Church Administrator
AUTUMN WALK Many thanks to everyone who came on the St John’s Autumn Walk, helped with the teas and produce stall and also made cakes which were much appreciated by the walkers and other visitors. It was a lovely day and the trees were just changing to autumn colours. A total of £250 was donated towards the Community Building and we are proposing to use this to purchase paper towel holders for the cloakrooms, a large broom/mop and a blind for the window in the office.
Penny and Sue Brockham Choral Society
will be holding a one hour Family Christmas Concert at St Martin’s Church, Dorking on Saturday 10th December at 5.30pm. We will be joined by the choir of St John's School, North Holmwood and will include the opportunity for the audience to join in carol singing. Tickets £5, children under 11 free, with concessions for under 25s in full time education. Tickets available from Pauline Whitehead 01306 881821: Maria Chadwick c/o Michael Frith, 40 South Street, Dorking 01306 882728: online www.brockhamchoral.org 29
St John’s December dates Mon
5 10.30am Morning Prayer 7pm Curry Evening
6 10am Coffee morning at Café Tue
Rouge 2pm Knit One, Purl One, Save One 4.30pm Evening Prayer 8pm Come and Sing
Wed
7
8
2 8.30am Eucharist – Vicar available until 10.30am
9 8.30am Eucharist – Vicar available until 10.30am 7pm Christmas Tree Festival
3
10 2pm Christmas Tree Festival
4 2nd in Advent 8am BCP Holy Communion 10am Family Christingle Service 11.45am Baptism
11 3rd in Advent 8am BCP Holy Communion 10am Parish Eucharist 2pm Christmas Tree Festival
Sun
Sat
Fri
Thu
1
30
This is a provisional listing of What’s On. For extra information please check the weekly notice sheet in the church.
12 10.30am Morning Prayer
19 10.30am Morning Prayer 7pm Carols at Royal Oak
26 Bank Holiday
13 4.30pm Evening Prayer
20 4.30pm Evening Prayer
27 Bank Holiday
14
21
28
15
22
29
16 8.30am Eucharist
23 8.30am Eucharist–
30 8.30am Eucharist
Vicar available until 10.30am 10am Christmas Flowers
17
24 Christmas Eve 2pm Children’s Activity 4pm Crib Service
18 4th Advent 8am BCP HC 10am Parish Eucharist 6pm Carols by Candlelight
11.30pm Midnight Mass 25 Christmas Day 8am BCP HC 10am All-Age Christmas Eucharist
31
31
St John’s January dates 9 10.30am Morning Prayer
3 10am Coffee
10 4.30pm Evening Prayer 7pm PCC meeting
Mon
2 Bank Holiday
Tue
morning 2pm Knit One, Purl One, Save One 4.30pm Evening Prayer 8pm Come and Sing
11
5
12
6 8.30am Eucharist – Vicar available until 10.30am
13 8.30am Eucharist – Vicar available until 10.30am
7
14
8 Epiphany 8am BCP Holy Communion 10am Parish Eucharist
15 Baptism of Christ 8am BCP HC 10am Parish Eucharist 6pm Healing Service
Sat
Fri
Thu
Wed
4
Sun
1 Christmas 2 8am BCP Holy Communion 10.15am Family Service (with Harvest Church) World Vision Stall
32
This is a provisional listing of What’s On. For extra information please check the weekly notice sheet in the church.
16 10.30am Morning Prayer
23 10.30am Morning Prayer
30 10.30am Morning Prayer
17 4.30pm Evening Prayer
24 4.30pm Evening Prayer
31 4.30pm Evening Prayer
18
25
19
26
20 8.30am Eucharist – Vicar available until 10.30am
27 8.30am Eucharist
21
28
22 Epiphany 3
27 Epiphany 4
8am BCP HC 10am Parish Eucharist
8am BCP HC 10am Parish Eucharist
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COMMUNITY BUILDING The Community Building is now in use. We are beginning to get different groups meeting there: residents associations, children’s birthday parties, baptism parties and other groups. We are open Monday to Friday (except during school holidays) from 10.00am to midday for anyone to drop in for tea or coffee or just to look around. We are very pleased to have volunteers to run this, who are also looking after the building. Could you join this team?
Jim Edwards
Booking enquiries for the new Community Building should be e-mailed to bookings@stjnh.org.uk or leave a message on 01306 868441 COMMUNITY BUILDING at St JOHN’S CHURCH TEA AND COFFEE or just drop in for a chat MONDAY TO FRIDAY 10.00am to 12.00 noon (except during school holidays) 34
MUSIC IN DORKING - DECEMBER 2016 by Ian Codd 2nd at 4.00, children’s concert at St Paul’s, £5, 01306 743378 2nd at 7.00, flute quintet at St Mary’s, Pixham 2nd at 7.45, Kings Chamber Orchestra at St Paul’s, £10, 01306 743378 3rd at 12.00, lunchtime recital at St Martin’s, free, 01306 884229 8th at 7.15, ballet screening at Dorking Halls, £17.50, 01306 881717 10th at 3.00, Ladybirds choir at URC Hall, £7.50, 01737 843662 10th at 5.00, Dorking Chamber Orchestra at St Nicolas, Great Bookham, £14, 01306 877176 11th at 7.00, Martineau Singers at St Mary’s, Pixham 17th at 3.00, Dorking Choral Society at St Joseph’s 18th at 3.00, ballet screening at Dorking Halls, £17.50, 01306 881717 31st at 4.00, concert screening at Dorking Halls, £12.50, 01306 881717 December naturally sees several Christmas concerts. St Paul’s Church leads the way with two concerts at the beginning of the month, featuring the Kings Chamber Orchestra. The first, in the afternoon, is a teddy bear concert for children aged 0-11. There will be interactive fun and festive music, and children are requested to bring an adult and a teddy! In the evening there will be a mix of seasonal music, with pieces by Vivaldi, Handel and Tchaikovsky, as well as Christmas carols. The Ladybirds Choir, directed by Helena Twentyman, will give its Christmas concert to raise funds for PSDS, a local charity that provides support for children with Down’s syndrome. The choir will sing a variety of songs both well-known and less familiar, among them a lovely setting of the German carol O Christmas Tree and a rousing rendition of Joy to the World, as well as some more lighthearted numbers such as Santa Baby and Winter Wonderland. Tea and mince pies will be served afterwards. St Mary’s Church in Pixham will host two events - a concert given by a flute quintet and a Christmas concert with the Martineau Singers. 35
Dorking Choral Society’s Christmas concert at St Joseph’s will also include contributions from the St Joseph’s School children’s choir. The Dorking Chamber Orchestra, playing at Great Bookham, has a concert including two of Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos, John Rutter’s Suite Antique, and a symphony by the little-known Dorking composer John Marsh, born here in 1752. The lunchtime recital at St Martin’s Church will be given by the previous Director of Music, organist Martin Ellis, making a welcome return visit to play in Dorking. Dorking Halls is screening Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker (always a favourite ballet for Christmas) live from the Royal Opera House, the Nutcracker from the Bolshoi in Moscow, and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra’s New Year gala concert. Watermill Jazz takes a break as usual during December; their concerts will restart in the New Year on 10th January. In the meantime I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year!
St John’s Church of England Primary School To commemorate Armistice Day on Friday 11th November, the Year 6 children from St John’s C of E Primary School, Dorking, joined ex-servicemen (Queensmen), Debbie Hornblow and Paul Cooling at The Queen’s Regiment Memorial Gardens, Holmbury St Mary. The children were able to appreciate the reflective picturesque gardens where ex-servicemen can take in the beauty of the woodland whilst remembering their colleagues or loved ones. There have been many volunteers and charity helpers working tirelessly to create this amazing vision, so tranquil and peaceful. This year, the Year 6 children added to this splendour by planting spring bulbs and scattering hundreds of poppy seeds. The children also learned about the startling ‘fungi cities’ created by the current autumnal weather as well as learning about the abundant plant species – including a ‘magic tree’, that surround the memorial woodland.
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DORKING MUSEUM IN DECEMBER/JANUARY Dorking Museum offers seasonal greetings to all readers and to the supporters and friends of the Museum. If you are in the town, why not drop into our shop for some Dorking themed cards, books or gifts – and perhaps stay to have a look around? The Museum is open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays between 10.00am and 4.00pm (closed 22nd -24th December). Have you seen Dorking’s ‘ghost soldier’? If you have been out and about in Dorking, you may have seen a ‘ghost soldier’ returned from the First World War in full military uniform. Actor Johnny Diamond has taken on the character of one of Dorking’s fallen soldiers from a century ago and is promoting the Museum’s current popular exhibition, ‘Dorking 1916’, which commemorates a momentous year in the Great War and the impact that it had on the Home Front in the town and villages. Johnny has chosen as his ‘ghost soldier’ Dorking-born Private George King, who was killed in action in Flanders in 1916 on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, aged 39. See the War Memorial Project pages of our website for George’s full biography. Johnny, who lives in Dorking, says that he wants people to remember George and others like him. “I thought of my grandfather, who lied about his age just to go on the front line. He survived, but many were not so lucky.” ‘Dorking 1916’ runs throughout December and has been retained through January 2017. Seasonal walks: The Museum’s walks team runs guided walks that show different aspects of Dorking’s history and heritage. Themed town walks include highlights of historic Dorking, the town’s literary and musical heritage or a children’s walk. The team also runs guided walks on 39
the recently opened Deepdene Trail, including entry to the Grade II* listed Hope family mausoleum. All walks take 90 minutes. Group walks by appointment: see website for details of Dorking or Deepdene Trail walks and to make group bookings on any date to suit you. Look out for special dates for individual bookings – next Deepdene Trail walk on 4th December. Those not wishing to venture out on to the Deepdene Trail can now take a ‘virtual reality tour’ on screen of the Deepdene estate of 1825, the latest popular addition to our permanent Museum exhibition. The Museum’s tours of Dorking’s famous South Street Caves have proved very popular this year. We ran 87 tours, nearly double that of last year. They are now closed for this year but will re-open next Easter for group tours and occasional open days for individual bookings. See website for details. Family Activity, Saturday 17th December: Families are invited to take a break from the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping and get creative. Join us to make a Christmas decoration, for yourself or as a gift. All materials supplied. Drop in any time between 2.00pm and 3.30pm. Ideal for families with children up to age ten. Free with regular Museum entry. There will be no Family Activity in January. The Museum is at 62 West Street, Dorking RH4 1BS. Visit www.dorkingmuseum.org.uk. Enquiries to admin@dorkingmuseum.org.uk or phone 01306 876591.
St John's Calendar 2017 and Christmas Cards Next year’s calendars and new Christmas Cards are available for sale after Sunday morning services. The calendar is similar in size and layout to last year's, with space for your appointments, and comes with a mailing envelope so that you can send copies to your friends and relatives. Last year's calendar was a sell-out, so get your order in early to avoid disappointment! 40
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HOLMWOOD WI A lively annual meeting of Holmwood WI was followed by Rachel Bartlett talking to us about the work of The Amber Foundation. A full house of members voted for their 2017 committee and President and all welcomed Gill Mansell who will be at the helm next year. We are grateful to Ann Lillywhite, our WI Adviser, for her guidance during the meeting and Margaret and Lillian from Newdigate WI who were our tellers. Then regional fundraiser, Rachel, gave us a fascinating insight into the work being carried out to help unemployed and homeless young people in Ockley, Wiltshire and Devon. Dean, a resident at Amber for just one month, told us his story and moved us all with candid views of his life as a homeless drug user. He is now changing his life for the better and was an emotive speaker who we hope continues to improve his life. Our festive season includes a Christmas Lunch at the Reigate Manor Hotel, and a happy get-together with musical bingo and traditional WI tea on the first Wednesday in December. We would love to see anyone who thinks they might like to join us in 2017; please contact our secretary Maureen Lewington on 01306 882057 or email maureen.lewington@btinternet.com All members at Holmwood WI wish you a very Happy Christmas and healthy 2017.
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CROSSWORD Across 1 ‘The blind receive sight, the — walk’ (Luke 7:22) (4) 3 Got (Philippians 3:12) (8) 8 Leave out (Jeremiah 26:2) (4) 9 Castigated for using dishonest scales (Hosea 12:7) (8) 11 Weighty (1 John 5:3) (10) 14 ‘Now the serpent was more — than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made’ (Genesis 3:1) (6) 15 ‘Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot — God’ (Romans 8:8) (6) 17 Because Israel lacked one of these, tools had to be sharpened by the Philistines (1 Samuel 13:19) (10) 20 In his vision of the two eagles and the vine, this is how Ezekiel described the latter (Ezekiel 17:8) (8) 21 Rite (anag.) (4) 22 Nine gigs (anag.) (8) 23 ‘The eye cannot say to the — “I don’t need you”’ (1 Corinthians 12:21) (4)
Down 1 ‘Flee for your lives! Don’t — — and don’t stop anywhere in the plain!’ (Genesis 19:17) (4,4) 2 Principal thoroughfare (Numbers 20:19) (4,4) 4 ‘The tax collector... beat his — and said, “God have mercy on me, a sinner”’ (Luke 18:13) (6) 5 ‘The zeal of the Lord Almighty will — this’ (2 Kings 19:31) (10) 6 ‘The day of the Lord is — for all nations’ (Obadiah 15) (4) 7 Specified day (Acts 21:26) (4) 10 Deadly epidemic (Deuteronomy 32:24) (10)
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12 Roman Catholic church which has special ceremonial rights (8) 13 Tied up (2 Kings 7:10) (8) 16 In his speech to the Sanhedrin, Stephen described
Moses as ‘powerful in speech and — ’ (Acts 7:22) (6) 18 ‘Although he did not remove the high places, — heart was fully committed to the Lord all his life’ (1 Kings 15:14) (4) 19 Tribe (Deuteronomy 29:18) (4)
This crossword, reproduced by kind permission of BRF and John Capon, was originally published in Three Down, Nine Across, by John Capon (£6.99 BRF). The Bible version used is NIV.
AN ARMCHAIR DUFFER’S VIEW OF SPORT October / November The last morning of the first cricket test match between Bangladesh and England on Monday 24th October had a tense beginning. Bangladesh needed 33 runs to win and England wanted two wickets to avoid one of their worst defeats. Man of the Match, Ben Stokes, took those two wickets as England won a nail biting match by 22 runs. England’s cricket team collapsed in their second innings of the second test, losing ten wickets for 64 runs so that the hosts won by 108 runs. Bangladesh are ranked the ninth best team in the world and England are now facing five tests against India who are ranked number one. Shameful violent scenes broke out in the last five minutes of the West Ham v Chelsea EFL Cup game on Wednesday 26th October. Seats were ripped out and hurled at rival fans, who had to be separated by riot police. West Ham are in the process of banning 200 people from future games which should go a long way to prevent a reoccurrence of this disgusting behaviour. British racing driver, Lewis Hamilton, won the Mexican Grand Prix with little fuss. This, following his win in the USA, reduces his deficit to Nico Rosberg in the driver’s championship table to 19 points with two races, Brazil and Abu Dhabi, remaining. 45
The World’s number two tennis player, Andy Murray, beat France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga to win the Erste Bank Vienna Open title on Sunday 30th October. This followed his wins at the Beijing Open and the Shanghai Masters. On Saturday 5th November Murray replaced Novak Djokovic as the best tennis player in the world by reaching the final of the Paris Masters. His semi-final opponent Milos Ravonic withdrew because of injury; the next day he beat John Isner in the final. It was great to see Rugby Union Football return to our screens on Saturday 5th November and it was difficult not to admire Australia’s performance as they beat Wales 32 points to 8 in the Principality Stadium. Australia were superior to Wales in every department of the game, especially passing, kicking and scrummaging. On Sunday 6th November the Vendée Globe yacht race started from Les Sables d’Olonne, on the west coast of France. Probably the toughest sport in the world, contestants have to sail alone 25,000 miles around the world, which takes approximately three months. Out of the 138 entries that have started since the race began, only 65 boats have finished. It is often called the Everest of the Sea, though more than 4000 people have climbed Everest. Five thousand and ten thousand metres champion runner, Mo Farah, has been named as one of three finalists for the IAAF men’s world athlete of the year. He is up against Jamaican, Usain Bolt, and South Africa’s 400m world record holder, Wayde van Niekerk, and the winner will be announced at the IAAF awards in Monaco on 2nd December. It will be interesting to see who wins.
Flowers in Church If you would like to help to arrange flowers at St John’s, so that we can have a display (large or small) more often, please contact Hazel 01306 886538.
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HOLMWOOD VILLAGE PRODUCE ASSOCIATION www.homlwoodvpa.co.uk It’s always at this time of year, when the trees are bare, the evenings are dark and the cold of winter sets in, that I start to think about all those jobs that need doing. I tell myself that this time the vegetable plots will be beautifully dug and prepared; that the runner beans, standing in their shrivelled, knotted brown winter glory will be a thing of the past; as will the forgotten beetroot that are fast becoming the size of a small football and hard as nails. The dead stems, stalks and all those autumn leaves will be formed in to a perfect bonfire, beautifully stacked and ready to light, checking for our hedgehog friends first, of course. There will be a perfect collection of seeds ready to go, all in planting order, rather than the enormous collection of packets of just about every conceivable vegetable, most of which will probably stay in the packet and at best are duplicated at least once, safely stored in a safe place of course, that only the local mouse will remember the location of. Then the visions of beautifully matched tomatoes, perfectly tied onions and potatoes with no knobbly bits fill my mind - every year. So far, I haven’t quite managed to live up to the expectations of my dreams, and the phrase ‘it will get done eventually’ still rings true. Ah well. But what can you do? The open fire crackles, its warmth and glow a reminder that we are indeed supposed to hibernate as much as possible when winter comes. Sometimes it’s nice to break out during the evening and do something different though, even in the cold and dark. The lure of Silent Pool Gin certainly did the trick for the Autumn Evening, where we were treated to several tastings, from their delightful strawberry gin cordial, their smooth blackberry gin cordial, a summery elder infused gin, English Rose gin, Gold Award winning Silent Pool gin and Navy Strength gin. It was a very pleasant and informative event, with the many smiley faces and clunking bottles a sure sign of contentment! A big thank you to Silent Pool for a very interesting evening. 49
The produce stall was popular as always, selling out of mincemeat, lemon curd and gooseberry jam. If there is a preserve or something else that you fancy on our stall at the Summer Show, do feel free to send us ideas. We like to provide things that you want to see (and buy!). Evenings in are the perfect time to catch up on paperwork and unfinished business, so why not add to it and become a VPA member? Contact Membership Secretary, Kate Fryer (01306 741476) for details. You will be part of a great association and we would love to have you on board! Have a look at our website (www.holmwoodvpa.co.uk) and our Facebook page for regular updates and information too. Time now to put the plans for the vegetable plots in to action; or make another cuppa and make sure it’s all clear in my head before venturing outside in the cold. I think I might just do that. It is rather chilly after all….. Holmwood VPA would like to wish all our members, past, present and future, a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.
Sarah Jackson
CROSSWORD SOLUTION
ST JOHN'S COFFEE MORNINGS The next coffee mornings will be on Tuesdays:
6th December 3rd January Café Rouge from 10.00am
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“Personal service we are proud of”
Friends of Holmwood Common and the National Trust December 2016 / January 2017
News from the Common Fungus & Tree Identification Walk The extraordinary and unique relationships between particular varieties of fungi and trees on the Common was one of the many insights provided by Vivien Hodge of the West Weald Fungus group on the Friends’ Autumn Tree and Fungi Identification walk. In near perfect fungi-spotting conditions nineteen of us had our eyes opened to the huge array of fungi on Holmwood Common, acting as the invisible nutrient support to the many oaks, willows, beech, ash and even young elms in the moist undergrowth. From "Deceiver" fungi with their changing colours, to the distinct smell of “Poison Pie” or the “Stinkhorn” that attracts flies as a means of distributing its spores, to the exquisite shine of “Porcelain Caps” ... and the many wax cap fungi in the grassland areas; it is clear that no area is sterile on Holmwood Common. The trees offered up secrets of history past: the presence of Aspen (a type of Poplar) is a throwback to the common’s once ancient woodland, whilst the Wild Service tree (with its leaves reminiscent of a maple, but not so distinctly lobed) is one of several rare specimen trees to which the Common plays host. If you missed the walk this year then you will be pleased to know that Vivien has already agreed to lead another walk in the Autumn of 2017.
Adrian, FOHC Committee Member
Fly-Tipping In the period 1st October to 11th November (when this newsletter was drafted) we have had five more instances of fly-tipping on the Common: two at Scammells car park, and three at Fourwents Mill Road car park ... mainly tree and hedge cuttings and garden 53
waste. Clearly, these criminals (yes, fly-tipping is a criminal offence) are careful to avoid detection and so it is by our collective vigilance that we will identify and eventually prosecute them. Remember, the householder or business whose rubbish is dumped in this way may also be liable to prosecution. It may be wise to check that your building contractor or tree surgeon does, in fact, possess a waste carrier's licence.
Members ... it's that time of the year! We hope that existing Friends' members will help us by renewing their membership of the Friends at the earliest opportunity: the New Year's Day Walk perhaps? And many thanks to all that have renewed already. The annual subscription remains unchanged at £7 per household … perhaps others will use the opportunity to join the Friends and enjoy our monthly e-newsletter and free attendance at Friends' events. Send an email to FOHC.info@gmail.com and we will send you a membership form.
Ranger Rob’s Report It’s nice to be able to pass on all good news this month. My colleague Sophie Parker who installed the dormouse boxes about a year ago reports that in addition to finding some young dormice earlier this year, she also found a mature specimen in one of the boxes in September. They should now be hibernating for winter (the word dormice derives from the French dormir, to sleep) tucked up in warm nests at ground level. Blackthorn scrub cutting at King’s Meadow was carried out last winter to promote young growth to attract Brown Hairstreak butterflies which has been successful as our volunteer butterfly recorder, Lucy, reports the discovery of eggs. The caterpillars feed on young blackthorn leaves and the adults are active around July and August. These butterflies were once common around the meadow are but haven’t been seen for the past few years. So, keep an eye open next year. Work at Fourwents Pond is progressing to plan. The Environment Agency has recently carried out a survey and reported that the fish 54
appear to be healthy which means that they can now be rehomed. The next step is to resume the pond drainage to lower the water level sufficiently to capture whatever is in the pond and remove fish which aren’t needed. We anticipate that this should happen by the end of this year. Happy Christmas … and hope to see you all on the Friends' New Year Walk.
Rob Adam, Ranger, Holmwood Common.
Coming soon … to a Common near you Sunday 1st January 2017 – New Year's Day Walk 1:30pm to 3:30pm. Invigorating walk on Holmwood Common to burn off those Christmas calories ... followed by tea & cake to put them back on again! Meet at Fourwents Pond (Blackbrook Road) Car Park and afterwards at Wymbleton where you might even get to meet a few of the new-born lambs. No need to book and no charge for FOHC Members, although donations are always welcome! You can join the Friends on the day for just £7 per household and existing members might like to use the opportunity to renew for 2017. Contact us … and visit us on Facebook If you have any questions about the National Trust’s work on Holmwood Common then please get in touch with Rob Adam, NT Ranger for Holmwood Common: phone 01306 712711; mobile 07901 511359; or email to rob.adam@nationaltrust.org.uk . The Friends of Holmwood Common can be contacted via FOHC.info@gmail.com or by calling 07768 318124. Visit our Facebook page to see what your friends and neighbours have posted about their visits to the Common. Suspicious activity on the Common, such as suspected poaching or flytipping, should be reported to the Surrey Police by dialling 101 without delay.
Join the Friends today ... Membership of the Friends of Holmwood Common is open to everyone. Please send your annual subscription (through to end-2017) – held at £7 per household if you join before 31st December, plus a donation if you are feeling generous, to: Friends of Holmwood Common, c/o Jane Coombes, 3 Marley Rise, Dorking, RH4 3BP. Cheques should be made payable to “Friends of Holmwood Common” and, if you have one, please include your email address in order to receive our monthly e-newsletter. 55
NORTH HOLMWOOD SPORTS CLUB INHOLMS LANE, NORTH HOLMWOOD www.northholmwood.com The North Holmwood Sports and Social Club is open to all ages and new members are always welcome with their families and children of all ages. To enquire about membership email us at nhscmembership@gmail.com New membership prices are £24 Family; £18 Single; £11 OAP (per person). Membership application forms can be downloaded from our website http://www.northholmwood.com/membership.html As well as regular bingo nights on a Thursday at 7.30pm and a Meat Raffle every Friday (tickets can be bought by members before the night so you do not lose the chance to win) the club hosts a range of other events which can be found in notices at the club, on our website, http://www.northholmwood.com, as well as being advertised in The Spire. Join family and friends to watch major league football matches, Grand Prix, golf and many other sporting events or sit outside (weather permitting!) enjoying the stunning views across the hills. Well behaved dogs are welcome. Forthcoming Events Whatever sport you follow the Club will be showing all the important football matches and other major sporting events during weekends and evenings. Christmas Meat Raffle Children’s Christmas Party in the afternoon Christmas Raffle draw with disco New Year’s Eve Party (children welcome). Details to be announced. Other events are being planned for January and will be emailed out to members so please keep a look out – there will also be posters in the club.
16th December 17th December 17th December 31st December
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Membership fees can be paid by cheques made payable to North Holmwood Sports Club or cash. Renewal prices are shown on our website www.northholmwood.com/membership.html The Stoolball season has now ended for the year. The fixtures will be available on our website for the next season. If you are interested in playing Stoolball next year, or wish to find out more please contact Shirley Overton at overton4@waitrose.com for more information. New players are always welcome, aged 11 to 111!! It’s never too early to consider playing cricket next summer and new players are always welcome so please contact Ian Elliott at wellie2266@gmail.com for more information. More and more people are taking advantage of the Club as their first choice for a venue to hold a party. We cater for christenings, birthdays (except for 18ths as, unfortunately, the risk is too great), engagements, even weddings, as well as wakes - whatever the occasion, your club is here to ensure you, your family and friends, have a great time! Here are a few of the benefits we can offer you: A venue that is local; friendly; family friendly; safe; spacious (inside and out) and informal; with stunning panoramic views in the summer, including a private patio area Professional and attentive support in helping you to organise your event Extremely competitive bar prices - Ample, free car parking Low venue hire rates - Free bar extension until midnight Complete flexibility to suit your personal entertainment and catering requirements Bookings are definitely on the increase; so, if you are interested in holding a party, please contact our party co-ordinator and General Manager, Mark Bessent m.bessent@sky.com or call into the club to find out more. A booking form can be downloaded from our website and the club will always do their best to accommodate your needs. http://www.northholmwood.com/hire.html 57
LOTS OF LOVE
NATIVITY PLAY To see the story of the first Christmas through the eyes of little children makes it fresh and new. I like the story of the little boy who so wanted to be Joseph but was picked as the inn keeper instead. All went well until the nativity play started and Mary and Joseph arrived at the inn. The boy playing the innkeeper greeted them with ‘Come in Mary love, there’s plenty of room for you, but Joseph can get lost!’
Time to make some Christmas decorations? Cut out two shapes like the pattern below, one in red card, one in green card. Don’t forget to cut the slits.
Interlock the 2 shapes by weaving the strips under and over their opposite colour. This will give you a heart shape. Use a little glue to hold them together if needed. Punch a hole in the top at the centre and thread with cord to hang your decoration. You can make lots in different colours and decorate them with sequins or stickers too. Nice symbols of love to decorate your Christmas.
Mary may insist that her teddy is the Baby Jesus, the angels may trip over their robes made from sheets, but every nativity play shows the wonder of the story of the first Christmas when the son of God was born a baby, like us. Tea towels used as shepherd’s headdresses and angels’ haloes The Cat's Christmas Hymns: made from wire coat hangers only serve to underline the Oh, Come All Ye Fishful humanity of it all. A baby born in Silent Mice a stable – a The First Meow simple story that changes the world.
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Brockwood Medical Practice
1 Bentsbrook Close, North Holmwood, Dorking. Tel: 01306 885802 www.brockwoodmedicalpractice.nhs.uk
The Partners: Jonathan Richards, Justin Thompson, Lucy Rawson, Tamsin Sevenoaks, Robin Gupta; Salaried GPs: Drs Elizabeth Craggs, Natalie Moore, Allison Wong, Sarah Wells, Kate Heppenstall, Hilary Sindall, Andrew Brett; GP Registrar, Dr Thiviya Selvarajah and all the staff are always pleased to welcome new and existing residents to our Practice. We offer appointments across our three sites at North Holmwood, Brockham and Newdigate. We offer: Personal Medical Services, Dispensary services for all eligible patients, District Nursing, Health Visitors, General Nursing Clinics with our Practice Nurses, Minor Surgery Clinics, Midwife Clinics, Travel Vaccination Clinics, Baby Clinic, Asthma and COPD clinics, Counselling sessions, INR testing with our HCA, Smoking Cessation sessions, and much more.
EVERYONE AT THE SURGERY WOULD LIKE TO WISH ALL OUR PATIENTS A HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND BEST WISHES FOR A HEALTHY NEW YEAR!
CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR SURGERY CLOSURE Monday 26th December: CLOSED Tuesday 27th December : CLOSED Monday 2nd January : CLOSED
REPEAT PRESCRIPTIONS
FLU CLINICS
Please order your repeat prescriptions in plenty of time for the Christmas and New Year period. Our Dispensers currently need 72 hours to dispense repeat medication. We would prefer that repeat prescriptions are requested before the Christmas period, preferably before the 9th December. Thank you.
Don’t forget to book your appointment You are entitled to a flu vaccine if you are aged 65 or over, or if you have a chronic illness or are in an “at risk” category. Children aged 2, 3 and 4 on the 1st September 2016 are also eligible.