The Lychgate Magazine February/March 2022

Fe b— M ar

The TheLychgate Lychgate

The magazine for the people and of Long Dittonand Thecommunity magazine for the people community of Long Ditton

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The Rectory, 5 Church Meadow Long Ditton, KT6 5EP Tele: 020 8398 1583 rector@stmaryslongditton.org.uk

All you need is love according to the Beatles – and February is a time when thoughts tend to turn to love as the feast of St Valentine is celebrated on 14th February.

As romantic heroes go, St Valentine is an unlikely candidate. Little is known about him – even who he actually was as there were several Christian martyrs named Valentine. The most likely candidate is believed to be a Christian priest who was martyred in about 270 AD by the Emperor Claudius II Gothicus. Why this particular saint became associated with love is also a matter of some conjecture.

One legend contends that Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families; he therefore outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine, realising the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret.

Another legend contends that an imprisoned Valentine actually sent the first “valentine” greeting himself after he fell in love with a young girl– possibly his jailor’s daughter–who visited him during his confinement.

Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter signed “From your Valentine,” an expression that is still in use today.

Although the truth behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories all emphasize his appeal as a deeply romantic figure. By the Middle Ages his association with love was well known and the idea of Valentine’s day being a day to declare one’s feelings of love was set.

Over the years the focus has increasingly become one of romantic love and apparently it’s now the fifth most popular day to propose (Christmas day is the most popular in case you were wondering). In the past, however, it was a day when all sorts of love were celebrated: the love between parents and children, between siblings, between friends and, of course, the love of God for us, his creation.

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This love, between God and humanity is the purest and most intense love that there is – and as much as February’s love fest is focused on Valentine’s day it is also the month that Lent usually begins. Lent is the period of the church year when we prepare to celebrate the agony and joy of Easter. Those days where God proved his love over and again in the unfolding events and its continued effect on our lives today.

So maybe this Valentine’s day, as we exchange cards and presents, have a dine in meal for two and maybe even get proposed to, we could also do well to remember the greatest love of all.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” John 3:16 Happy Valentine’s day everyone – may it be a day when you know how much you are loved.

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Five famous quotes of Archbishop Desmond Tutu The recent death of Archbishop Desmond Tutu was mourned around the world. Here are five of his more famous quotes, which show why he was so especially honoured for his justice and reconciliation work in South Africa.

“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse, and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.”

“Don’t raise your voice, improve your argument. Good sense does not always lie with the loudest shouters, nor can we say that a large, unruly crowd is always the best arbiter of what is right.”

“Forgiving is not forgetting; it’s actually remembering – remembering and not using your right to hit back. It’s a second chance for a new beginning and the remembering part is particularly important, especially if you don’t want to repeat what happened.”

“Differences are not intended to separate, to alienate. We are different precisely in order to realise our need of one another.”

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The Christian faith of Denzel Washington The American actor Denzel Washington, 66, mentioned his Christian faith in a recent interview with the New York Times.

Washington described himself as Godfearing and warned against the dangers of the digital age. He said: “The Bible says in the last days … we’ll be lovers of ourselves. The No. 1 photograph today is a selfie, ‘Oh, me at the protest.’ ‘Follow me.’ ‘Listen to me.’…We’re living in a time where people are willing to do anything to get followed.”

NYT Journalist Maureen Dowd said that during the interview, Washington encouraged her to read the Bible.

He said: “You have to fill up that bucket every morning. It’s rough out there.” He went on: “If you don’t have a spiritual anchor you’ll be easily blown by the wind and you’ll be led to depression.”

Speaking recently at The Better Man Event conference in Florida, Washington said: “I hope that the words in my mouth and the meditation of my heart are pleasing in God’s sight, but I’m human.

I’m just like you… If you want to talk to someone, talk to the One that can do something about it.”

Washington also said that before his 97-year-old mother died last year, he promised her he would “attempt to honour her and God by living the rest of my days in a way that would make her proud.”

Washington has been married to Paulette Pearson for 38 years.

With Archbishop Desmond Tutu officiating, he and his wife renewed their wedding vows in 1995 in South Africa.

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REGULAR GROUPS AT ST MARY’S - UPDATE Good News Friendship Lunches - resume on Friday 4th March at 1pm and on the 1st Friday of each month thereafter. Book by calling 020 8398 1184 11th March Drop In Café - informal drop in for chat, tea and biscuits £2 per person 2.00pm - 4.00pm - continuing until further notice For more information on the all groups please contact one of the Pastoral Assistants (details on page 29). N.B. We only able to provide a limited amount of transport at the moment. ***********************************

100 Club 19 update I am thrilled to announce that, for the first time in 20 years, St Mary’s Church 100 Club has managed to attain full uptake of the 100 numbers allocated!

I would, therefore, like to say a huge thank you to all of those members who have renewed their membership, those who increased the amount of numbers allocated to them and also to the numerous new members we have gained. I hope you all enjoy being part of the fun.

As a result of your generosity, the Church Funds have benefitted from the £1,050 profit, after prize money is taken out, generated by the participation of members in the 100 Club No.19 The first draw took place after the 10.15 service on Sunday 2nd January 2021 The winning numbers are: 1st prize: No. 32 2nd prize: No. 23 3rd prize: No. 55 Congratulations to all the winners.

The next draw will take place on Sunday 6th February after the 10.15am service. Good luck everyone!

Ann Leeson

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We began the New Year and new school term with bundles of Creativity at Long Ditton Infant and Nursery School. The theme across the school was 'Animals' and each year group chose a different medium with which to work plus a skill to learn.

Kate Maxwell, a local artist, became our resident artist for the week and worked with the children, producing incredible screen prints of animals which the children thoroughly enjoyed. They were very impressed, as were the teachers, with Kate's artistic abilities and in awe of how easy she made drawing look.

The children took part in 'Explorer' drama workshops where they experienced jungle trekking, safari rides and a very dangerous volcano eruption - all from the safety of our hall - naturally.

We were also treated to listening and seeing Long Ditton St Mary's School choir and orchestra. This was brilliant for us because, not only were we entertained beautifully but, we also got to say hello to our old pupils. They all said how small the school seemed now that they were at 'big school'. Watching them sing and play was fantastic and all the teachers felt very proud of how they had progressed.

The Creative week made us all recognise how important creativity is to our well being as it helps us manage our emotions. I read that a study of 50,000 people had found that, regardless of skill level, taking part in activities like painting, pottery or music helps us to manage our emotions, build confidence and explore solutions to problems.

We challenged ourselves to take up something creative in the New Year and, so far, the teachers have started singing, dancing, knitting and painting!

Monica Paines page 7

SPRING TERM This term, our projects have a geography focus and to help launch these projects we have been on a number of trips. In Year 3, we are focussing on earthquakes and volcanoes. Unfortunately, we have not been able to visit Pompeii, but we will be learning all about it!

Year 4 are focussing much closer to home, studying the history and geography of our local area. We recently went on a walking tour and looked at the age and use of local buildings. In Thames Ditton village, we were fascinated to see the blue plaque commemorating Cesar Picton and very much look forward to learning more about his life and role in the local area.

Perhaps you are a local historian who can help us with this topic. If so, please do contact the school office.

Children in both Year 5 and Year 6, are studying the important issues of sustainability and protecting the environment. We have found in the past that the children feel very strongly about this subject. To support this they have visited RHS Wisley and the Science Museum.

Year 6 project will culminate with a climate conference at the end of the spring term where they will present a range of work in an attempt to answer the question ‘what makes a beautiful world?’

If you would like a greater insight into life at LDSM, please do follow our Twitter feed—@LDSMjunior sch Sarah Martin - Headteacher

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60 years since we first orbited Earth It was 60 years ago, on 20th February 1962, that John Glenn became the first American astronaut to orbit the Earth.

He made three orbits in the space capsule Friendship 7, which he named himself.

The three circles of the globe – which lasted just under five hours – made the Presbyterian Christian a hero and a household name – but he was not the first man in space. He was preceded by two Russians, Yuri Gagarin and Gherman Titov, in April and August 1961.

The American launch was postponed four times because of mechanical issues and uncertain weather, and the flight was not without its frightening moments. An apparent problem with the heat shield necessitated a change in plans during the flight, but this turned out to be a relatively insignificant sensor problem. Glenn was one of the first US astronauts – the Mercury Seven – who were immortalised in Thomas Wolfe’s 1979 book, The Right Stuff, which became a film and more recently a TV series.

Glenn, who represented Ohio as a Democratic senator for 25 years from 1974, returned to space in 1998 aboard the space shuttle Discovery, making him the oldest person to fly in space. That mission’s main aim was to study the effects of space flight on older people. He died in 2016, aged 95.

Glenn said that seeing the Earth from orbit stirred in him a tremendous sense of wonder that strengthened his faith, adding: “To look out at this kind of creation out here and not believe in God is to me impossible.”

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Saving the planet via kitchen and bathroom in 2022 As world leaders wake up to the crisis of global warming and plan emergency measures before it is too late, each of us can make a difference right now, beginning in our own homes.

Start in the KITCHEN 25% of the world’s food is thrown away. One supermarket discovered British households waste seven million tonnes of food every year, partly because most of our fridges aren’t cold enough. Keeping the fridge temperature at a maximum of 4 degrees will help food last longer and save waste.

Vast quantities of greenhouse gases are released by animals reared to supply us with red meat and dairy products. Cutting down on quantities and conserving leftovers would help.

Conserving electricity by washing clothes at 30 degrees and replacing power-hungry tumble driers with a clothes line or old-fashioned clothes-horse would have the added advantage of reducing soaring power bills.

According to the Good Housekeeping Institute, “many mainstream detergents are brimming with synthetic chemicals like phosphates, chlorine and bleach that pollute our waterways, damaging delicate ecosystems, and may irritate sensitive skin.”

Plant-based and eco-friendly alternatives are now readily available and work well in the washing machine and dishwasher.

Don’t forget the BATHROOM Annual increases in UK water consumption would be curbed, if we were to shower rather than bath. Exchanging the shower head for a water-saving type, which regulates or aerates the flow, would save both water and cash. Spending less time in the shower needn’t be a hardship. Daily shampooing may actually be counter-productive page 10

– it’s best to let some oils remain in the hair, so they can act as moisturisers. Biodegradable body wash is available in bulk, from which re-usable containers can be filled.

Eco-friendly toothpaste is now on the market, some of it in plastic-free containers. More water can be saved by turning the tap off as we brush.

Beware wet-wipes which may be ‘flushable’, but aren’t biodegradable, because they are part plastic. Eco-friendly alternatives are now available.

Saving the planet needn’t cost the earth!

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Please mention this magazine if you use any of the adverts posted here

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ROYAL BRITISH LEGION THE DITTONS & HINCHLEY WOOD BETTS WAY LONG DITTON

ALL NEW MEMBERS WELCOME

HALL FOR HIRE for special occasions, Birthdays, Weddings LINE DANCING FRIDAY EVENING BINGO SESSIONS THUR-SUN 8-10 PM SNOOKER DARTS LARGE GRASS GROUNDS DISCOS:OUTINGS:BANDS

CONTACT 020 8398 6263 FOR DETAILS

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CROSSY’S HOME & GARDEN ALL AROUND THE HOME HARDWARE TOOL SHARPENING

KEY CUTTING

GARDEN SUPPLIES

PET SUPPLIES

FAX SERVICE

HOUSEWARES

26-28 MANOR ROAD NORTH HINCHLEY WOOD KT10 0SH TEL: 020 8398 2828 FAX: 020 8398 0433

Please mention this magazine if you use any of the adverts posted here

THORKHILL PHARMACY Mr D Patel MRPharms

MR & MRS PATEL NEWSPAPER DELIVERIES

FRESH BREAD AND MILK DAILY

FRESH FRUIT AND VEG CONFECTIONARY & TOBACCO GROCERIES NATIONAL LOTTERY STAMPS UPS ACCESS POINT 92 Thorkhill Road Thames Ditton Surrey KT7 0UQ

Tel: 020 8398 2612 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK EASY PARKING

Prescription collection service Computerised Patient Medication Record Advice and Help on Minor Ailments Prescription Delivery Service for the Housebound Homeopathic Medicines ·Vitamins

EVERYTHING YOU WOULD EXPECT FROM YOUR LOCAL FRIENDLY CHEMIST Established 50 years

Open Mon to Fri 9am - 6pm Closed for lunch 1pm - 2pm

Sat 9am - 1pm EASY PARKING 94 Thorkhill Road, Thames Ditton, Surrey, KT7 0UQ Tel: (020) 8398 3008

Please mention this magazine if you use any of the adverts posted here

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The Village Hall 2 Ewell Road Long Ditton

Welcomes sports clubs, workshops, meetings, societies, lectures, demonstrations, classes, children's parties.

Occasional and long-term hire 07804 057589 The Village Hall Trust is sometimes able to make donations for charitable purposes to benefit the residents of Long Ditton.

Enquiries to 020 398 3643 LASTING POWER OF ATTORNEY AND WILLS £195* per LPA (property or personal) *Price excludes Office of Public Guardian fee Standard Mirror Wills £395 plus VAT Standard Single Wills £245 plus VAT Tim Wilde—Solicitor Based in Long Ditton www.twildelaw.com I aim to beat any written quote from another Solicitor Telephone 020 3720 2250 or 07810 480 180 tim@twildelaw.com

Long Ditton Residents’ Association (LDRA) www,longditton.org

Contact: Mark Herbert Tel: 020 8398 6037 We aim to:  Preserve Long Ditton from over development  Maintain the character of the district  Improve the amenities and defend our Green Belt  Keep in close contact with our councillors If you share these aims please help us The subscription is a modest £2 a year per adult.

The Association is non-political and non-sectarian Committee meetings are held at 8pm on the first Wednesday of the month at St Mary’s Community Hall, behind the church All residents are welcome!

Jonathan Miller M.Inst Ch.P. Member of the Institute Chiropodists and Podiatrists HOME VISITING SERVICE IN YOUR AREA

of

7 Fleece Road, Long Ditton, Surrey, KT6 5JP Telephone & Fax (020) 8873 7189

ST MARY’S COMMUNITY HALL Now available for booking meetings, parties and long-term hire For further information ring - 020 8339 0008

page 14 Please mention this magazine if you use any of the adverts posted here

In Memory of Dolly the Sheep Just 25 years ago, on 22nd February 1997, scientists at the Roslin Institute in Edinburgh announced that they had successfully cloned a mammal from an adult cell for the first time: a sheep named Dolly.

Dolly – named after country singer Dolly Parton – was not the first cloned mammal, however. Another sheep had been cloned from an embryo cell as early as 1984. Dolly was made from an adult mammary cell, which had been thought impossible.

The idea was to open up possibilities in breeding and in medicine, but Christians and others were alarmed at the possibilities that seemed to be opening up for human cloning, which some said raised difficulties because humans were made in the image of God. The Vatican called for a total ban on the cloning of human beings, which it said was a “dangerous experiment” that could undermine human dignity but, a number of Jewish thinkers argued that in certain circumstances it could be an acceptable and compassionate option.

Over the years Dolly gave birth to six lambs but in 2000 was found – with other sheep at Roslin – to be infected with a virus causing lung cancer; she was then diagnosed with arthritis, which was treated successfully. In 2003, at the age of six, she was discovered to have tumours growing in her lungs and was euthanised to prevent her suffering. A healthy sheep would normally live to the age of ten or twelve.

Dolly’s body was donated to the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, where she has become one of the most popular exhibits.

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Supporting the People who serve their community From building roads in Sierra Leone to running disability programmes in the remote mountains of Uttarakhand, India, thousands of people worldwide are working hard to serve and develop their communities.

Sometimes these ‘servers’ need support themselves, and that is where Arukah Network comes in. It is a global support network for people who serve their community. With nine clusters (https://www.arukahnetwork.org/clusters) in Africa and India, Arukah supports both people and communities who have big dreams for their futures.

In each cluster, members work to build relationships, support one another, share in training, and form partnerships. Arukah says, “The aim is to increase the health, wellbeing and happiness of our communities, and ultimately, to inspire wider systems and social change or, as we call it, ‘Arukah’.

One of the cluster members who is transforming lives is Raj Kumar, a member of the cluster in Uttarakhand. Raj was born a member of the ‘Dalits’, which according to India’s Caste system is the lowest of the country’s social groups. Growing up, Raj thought that God had made him for a life of suffering and trouble.. A life without hope. Then, Raj became a Christian and because of his new relationship with Jesus, he grew in self-esteem and became secure in his identity. He started seeing the world from a biblical perspective, and this motivated him to go to seminary. Raj is now a pastor, and runs a grassroots organisation providing social care to vulnerable people in his region.

In his cluster, he uses his story and experience to counsel and help people with their health and hygiene, while changing the ‘Dalits’ mindset. (Read more of his story at https://www.arukahnetwork.org/ post/010620) If you would like to become a ‘Friend of Arukah’, and help communities worldwide to achieve their full potential, please visit https//www.arukahnetwork.org/friendsofarukah

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A BIG WELCOME TO MANPREET - NEW OWNER OF “ANNY’S” LONG DITTON’S CONVENIENCE STORE When you have an opportunity, please do go and say hello to Manpreet, who is the new owner of ‘Anny’s’ convenience store in Fleece Road. I met him in early January and asked him to tell me a little about his vision for serving the community of Long Ditton.

Manpreet is a entrepreneurial young person, aged 20, who saw an opportunity to fulfil his dreams of running his own family business.

He lives in Hampton and every morning on his way to work for NIHR Pharmaceuticals in Kingston, he would stop at the shop to pick up essentials for the day ahead. He was, therefore, very surprised one day to discover that Manny’s had closed without warning. Manpreet, together with assistance from his family, bought the shop from the ‘new’ owners, who had acquired “Manny’s” after it went into receivership in the autumn of 2021.

Manpreet opened Anny’s for business on Monday 13th December and he is very keen to let potential customers know this family run business will do everything within their power to serve the community of Long Ditton in any way they can. He is open to suggestions for ways in which this can be achieved. Anny’s has been deep cleaned and there is an air of freshness about it when you walk around. You can buy bread which is brought in from the Cavan bakery and it is date stamped so you are assured it is fresh. Manpreet has also introduced some new lines in the store. Go in and investigate to see for yourself what is on offer.

Do call into the shop when you are next passing, even if it is only to welcome Manpreet and his family to Long Ditton.

Janet Burton

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Please mention this magazine if you use any of the adverts posted here

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Please mention this magazine if you use any of the adverts posted here

Please mention this magazine if you use any of the adverts posted here

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54 High Street, Thames Ditton, Surrey, KT7 0SA, Tel: 020 8972 9500

OFFICE SKILLS TUTOR      

Staff training One-to-One tutoring Small groups/classes All levels from beginner Nervous students welcome Experienced, patient tutor

Phone: 020 8398 2101 Mobile: 07949 069398 E-mail: pedder@rocketmail.com page 22

 Word  Excel  PowerPoint  Publisher  Access  Outlook  Office skills  CV writing 28 St Mary’s Road Long Ditton Surrey KT6 5EY

Please mention this magazine if you use any of the adverts posted here

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St James the Least of All On how to survive a residential confernce The Rectory St James the Least My dear Nephew Darren I am glad you enjoyed your conference, but please do not be deluded into thinking that conferences are there to teach you anything.

Conferences exist to provide another entry on your CV, to give you time off while flattering yourself that you are working, and to make the person leading it feel that their life is not wholly pointless. As it happened, I was also invited to the same one, the one entitled ‘Learning how to say no’ but I refused to attend, thereby proving that I didn’t need it anyway.

There are certain useful points you need to learn for conferences.

First, about half the attendees will have been together only the previous week attending another conference in another part of the country. They will be eager, enthusiastic, and overflowing with management platitudes. Avoid them at all costs. Should one of them say to you: ‘expect the unexpected’ you have my permission to strangle them. They won’t have expected that!

Secondly, when you are all asked to go through that ghastly process of introducing yourselves to everyone else, make it up. I think the last time I was obliged to do this, I became a butcher specialising in exporting offal to Saudi Arabia. All your clerical colleagues will then panic that they have turned up for the wrong course and the leader will make sure that you are not asked another single question throughout the event. Both outcomes are satisfying.

Thirdly, do realise that when you are asked to divide into small discussion groups, it means that the conference leader has run out of ideas about what to do next. Do not, at all costs, volunteer to be chairman. It only means that when you have to report back – and if the leaders use the word ‘plenary’, then by all means contemplate strangling them also – you will be involved in sticking sheets of paper on to walls, which will then rip off the wallpaper when you try to remove them. You will also have the embarrassment of finding that page 24

every felt tip pen you try to use will be empty, and what you thought were the conclusions your group had arrived at will be volubly contradicted by all the other members.

No, if you are ever obliged to attend another course, take a good book, enough claret to cover every evening away, and develop a debilitating illness that, while enabling you to attend every meal, obliges you to retreat to your room for the rest of the day. You will leave having learned as much on whatever the topic was as your colleagues, but you will return refreshed and eager to make the next booking.

Your loving uncle, Eustace

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What a tree can do for you!

Trees can help prevent you getting depressed. At least, you are less likely to be on antidepressants if you live on a tree-lined street.

That is the finding of a survey by the Forestry Commission, which looked for the first time at the mental health value of our forests and woodlands. Apparently, they save the NHS something like £185million in antidepressants each year.

A spokesman at Mind, the mental health charity, said: “Although many of us feel like hibernating in winter, getting outside in green spaces and making the most of the little daylight we get, can really benefit both your physical and mental health.”

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www.longditton.org News from the Long Ditton Residents’ Association

Elmbridge Borough Council New Local Plan – proposed development on Long Ditton Green Belt After 5 years of discussion, deliberation and debate, the Draft Local Plan is nearing completion. At time of writing, the plan should have gone before the EBC Cabinet on 27th January and before a meeting of the full council on 4th February. Once the council has approved the Draft LP, the next stage in the process is for a ‘Regulation 19 Public Consultation’ – please see the LDRA website and Facebook group for guidance and advice on how to respond. Following the public consultation, the Draft Local Plan will go before the Planning Inspectorate Examiner.

Village Green Application – One Tree Hill and Stokes Field Nature Reserve The ‘Save HWLD Green Belt’ Village Green Barrister has responded to the three objections raised. It is expected that more legal work will be required, as the application process moves into the next phase.

Irrespective of what the Local Plan outcomes are, we must protect One Tree Hill and Stokes Field from any future challenges, which means that the importance of progressing the Village Green application does not diminish.

Planning Applications Development – 11 dwellings on Sugden Road (ref. 2021/0701). The revised application was approved.

Aldi store – A planning application (ref. 2021/3857) has been submitted for an Aldi store on the ex-Guy Salmon showroom site, on Portsmouth Road, by Giggs Hill Green in Thames Ditton. The application was available for comments until 14th January.

20mph Restriction Proposal A petition was sent to Surrey County Council (SCC) in November to make parts of Long Ditton a 20mph zone, (Ditton Hill Road and Ewell Road), and this was discussed by SCC on 18th January.

Manny’s Old Convenience Store Sadly, Manny had to close his business after 19 years last September page 26

and we wish him well for the future. The shop re-opened in December and is now run by Manpreet Singh and his family. We welcome them to our village and wish them every success.

Village Christmas Tree The successful ‘Long Ditton Lights Up’ event was held on Thursday 2nd December, was well attended and enjoyed by all. The new tree lights, funded by residents and the Long Ditton Village Hall, looked splendid.

LDRA on Facebook The LDRA Facebook page continues to grow in popularity and has over 1,700 members. It is a great source of local information. You can join by searching FB for ‘Long Ditton Residents Association’ and requesting membership. Please read and agree to the FB page rules to be accepted.

Monthly LDRA Committee Meetings A new year, so time for a new venue. The LDRA Committee monthly meetings are moving from the Royal British Legion to the Long Ditton Community Hall, behind St. Mary’s Church. We offer significant thanks to the RBL for hosting us for so many years.

Local Police Information on Police matters can be viewed on https://www.police.uk/ pu/your-area/surrey-police/the-dittons-and-hinchley-wood/.

Help us to help you!

In addition to Facebook and our website, we would like to use e-mail to keep you informed. If you would like to be on our e-mailing list please send your full name, your road and e-mail address to: mark.herbert@longditton.org. All personal information supplied will be used strictly by the LDRA Officers only and not made public. All recipients are e-mailed using Blind carbon copy (Bcc).

LDRA face to face committee meetings and public meetings will resume, allowing the LDRA Officers continue to work directly with residents and our EBC and SCC Councillors.

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LONG DITTON GENERAL CONTACTS

Group

Contact

Tele Number

Babes ‘n’ Tots

Cathy Doyle

020 8398 0715

LD Residents’ Assn

Mark Herbert

020 8398 6037

LD Garden Club

Liz Martin

020 8244 3147

Village Hall

Michelle Aveson

07804 057589

Rainbows

Lesley Sullivan

020 8398 0150

Brownies (Wednesday)

Lesley Sullivan

020 8398 0150

Brownies (Thursday)

Hannah Siebert

020 8398 0576

Guides & Rangers

Cat Smith

07738 599318

Dittons Scouts contact

Stuart Jack

07971 479740

LDSM Junior School Sugden Road, KT7 0AD

Sarah Martin (Head)

020 8398 1070

LD Infant School Monica Paines (Head) 020 8398 4398 Ditton Hill Road, KT6 5JB Long Ditton Youth Club

Glenn Sampson

Ditton Bridge Club

Redvers Cunningham 020 8398 4338

Sugden Road Allotments

David Wiltshire

07718 054345

Long Ditton Cricket Club

Tom Bennett

07876 171899

Surbiton Bowls Club

Keith Stedman

07543 095070

Editor of Lychgate

Janet Burton

07810 810822

Citizens Advice Bureau Esher Elmbridge Borough Council Elmbridge Dial-A-Ride Thames Water Emergency Line Samaritans Kingston Dittons & Weston Green Neighbourhood Care page 28

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01372 464770 01372 474474 01372 474944 0800 980 8800 Freephone: 116123 020 8398 8600

ST MARY’S CHURCH CONTACTS Ministry Team

The Rev’d Dr. Kuhan Satkunanayagam

020 8398 1583 (Day off -Tuesday)

Asst. Curate (part time)

The Rev’d Prof Alison Baverstock

020 8546 9267

Churchwardens Peter Topp Sue Rider

020 8399 1004 07512 999372

Pastoral Team

Call us if you need someone to listen or talk with you

Pastoral Assistants

Cathy Doyle Joanne Hall Diana Jemmett Kenneth Mould Judith Topp

020 8398 0715 020 8398 5637 020 8398 1184 020 8339 0933 020 8399 1004

Sunday Club

Cat Smith

07738 599318

Churches Together

Cathy Doyle

020 3398 0715

Choir Co-ordinator

Julia Bowyer

music@stmaryslongditton.org.uk

Church Electoral Roll

Janet Critchley

07748 070243

Flowers

Tessa Vallings

020 8398 4807

Sacristan

Val Tanner

020 8974 2713

Stewardship Hon Treasurer

Katharine Lankey

020 8224 5170

PCC Hon Sec

Penny Fussell

020 8672 0838

PCC Hon Treasurer

Kim Taylor

020 8398 1353

Parish Office & Joanna Lee Community Hall The Parish Office Church Road

020 8339 0008 office@stmaryslongditton.org.uk

www.stmaryslong ditton.org.uk page 29

FROM THE REGISTERS Baptism of:

Alexander Howard

Funeral of:

Fiona Conibear Muriel Dewey

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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY Sat 26 Feb

2.30pm

Thunderbirds Talk by Mary Turner in the Community Hall. Book your place via the Eventbrite link on the church website

Wed 16 Mar

7.30pm

Discussion about our 2022 Lent Book Book a place via Eventbrite, as above.

ADVANCE NOTICE Wed 27 April 7.30pm

Talk by Literary Agent, Sheila Crowley.

Book to read: ‘The Giver of Stars’ by Jojo Moyes, whom Sheila represents.

Book a place for this event via the Eventbrite link on the church website.

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If you would like to advertise in or contribute an article to this magazine, please contact Janet Burton 07810 810822 janetpb15@gmail.com page 30

REGULAR SERVICES AT ST MARY’S Sundays: 08.00 am Book of Common Prayer Holy Communion 10.15 am Parish Communion with Organ and hymns 6pm Evening Prayer (Choral evensong 3rd Sunday of month) Wednesdays: 10.00 am Holy Communion followed by Coffee Club ——————————————————Wed 2 Mar

8pm

Ash Wednesday - Holy Communion

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Prayer Chain If you, or someone you know, would like to be prayed for (for any reason) please send your request by e- mail to:prayerchain@stmaryslongditton.org.uk Your request will only be known to those in the Prayer Chain and your confidentiality will be respected. ***********************************

God’s Valentine For God so loved the world He sent His Son There was no other way to let us know, So Jesus came to us from heaven’s realm To bring God’s love to all of us below.

He took on flesh, became like one of us, Taught and healed and loved wherever He went Showing the Father’s love for all to see He truly was a gift from heaven sent.

The Bible is God’s precious Word of Life A living breathing word like no other, It is a heavenly letter of love to us Sent ‘From your God the Everlasting Father’.

By Megan Carter page 31