News from Woodmancote & Popham

November is always a month for reflection and remembrance and at St. James’ we hold our All Souls Service. It is always a beautiful service where we light candles for loved ones no longer with us.

We also listened to an inspiring talk by Juliet Pattinson, one of the Church Wardens at Micheldever. Juliet told us, how after meeting a man who’d recently lost his wife in Micheldever Churchyard, it led her to train and join a small charity in Winchester that helps the recently bereaved. Juliet had me transfixed and I couldn’t help but think what a wonderful thing to do and how in demand this small charity must be.

In this world nothing is certain except death and taxes (Benjamin Franklin 1789) It is such a shame it's a part we don’t really feel comfortable talking about and therefore often find it difficult to deal with. Talking, Juliet told us, is the best way to come to terms with life-changing events like bereavement and helps us cope with our feelings of grief.

Christmas is upon us and once again it’s carol singing time. St James’ will hold its much-loved Carol Service on Friday 17th December at 7pm. Afterwards, as is tradition, it is all back to Mary Wallis’s house, this year for refreshments around braziers in the garden. It is a wonderful evening and everyone is warmly welcome. We are always so grateful to Mary and Nick for hosting this for us.

Mary is also running a Christmas Wreath Making workshop on Saturday 4th December. Mary is a professional florist, so this is a wonderful opportunity to make something yourself, under expert guidance, to take home for Christmas or even give as a gift to someone special. All proceeds from this event will go to St. James’ Church.

In January we hope to hold our Sunday Plough Service as normal, details of which will be to follow.

Finally, on behalf of St. James’ Church I would like to wish everyone a happy, healthy and peaceful Christmas and New Year! Jane.

Micheldever Parish Council Notice of Meeting

Wednesday 1st December Northbrook Hall 7.30 pm

There will be an opportunity for questions from the public at around 8 .00 pm www.micheldeverparish.org.uk Parish Council Matters - Planning Applications, Meetings - Agendas, Dates & Minutes, Newsletters, Parish Assembly and more . COVID19 Information The latest information for Micheldever Parish, including live links to local services. Visit www.micheldeverparish.org.uk/newsletters

Christmas wreath making with maitre fleuriste Mary Wallis. Learn how to create a welcoming wreath for your home, with everything you need to make your wreath supplied. 11.00 a.m. - 2.00 p.m. Saturday 4th December East Stratton Village Hall £20 per person All proceeds to St James Church Places are limited - book with Mary mary@thecalvertcentre.co.uk 07713 266 799

First-Sunday-in-the-Month - Fund Raising Walk. Sunday 5th Dec 2021

Parking on the roadside in the lane. SO21 3AF. Grid Ref: SU50073948 Walk sets off at 10:30am from the Map Board at Weston Colley.

Field layout taken from Milner’s History of Micheldever.

Downstream from Micheldever Village, how would those villagers have felt at the proposed construction of the Railway? Weston Mill, not further than sparks could fly from those great thundering machines belching flames into the sky?

A rare occurrence with FirstSunday Walks, we do not start and finish at a pub Car Park. However, for anybody wishing to share a festive glass we will adjourn up to The Half Moon and Spread Eagle, Winchester Road, Micheldever Village. (approx. 12.30)

Dogs WELCOME

We walk for approx. 4 miles. It is liable to be muddy and with some uneven, steep, slippery surfaces.

Map Board