The Winterborne Valley & Milton Abbas Benefice We are looking forward to the Revd Lewis Pearson being installed as our new Rector of Milton Abbas with the Winterborne Valley on Sept 3rd. Exactly how this will happen is not yet clear as the virus regulations are being constantly altered for worship in church. Justin the Rural Dean, and Antony our Archdeacon will have a part to play, as will Bishop Karen. Lewis and his family will move into the Rectory in July. He will not just be our Rector, he will have extra responsibility as the Custodian at Milton Abbey which is in the benefice. You will probably have read in the press about the undoubted death of the C of E. We are actually NOT dying but facing up to radical change which will in my opinion be more like the church which Jesus intended. More clergy are now non stipendiary, which means we do not get paid by the church. St Paul made his living by tent making. In some places the vicar occupies the Vicarage free of Charge in return for a limited amount of work locally. This is called "house for duty". Other churches have to rely upon retired clergy. We are fortunate in this diocese to have a large number of these, & we, at present, have two in this benefice who help out regularly. So we are very fortunate, our foreseeable future is known. Other churches around Blandford are having to face up to more radical changes which are still under discussion. The days when the clergy did all the ministry are now long gone. The Bishop of Bolton has recently written, "Their task is not to do all the ministry but make sure that the ministry is done." To help with that we already have, thanks to former Rectors, Lay Pastoral Assistants, Local Worship Leaders and Lay Pioneers. No doubt under Lewis' influence this will improve and grow. The church is not the building, certainly not just the clergy, but the whole Christian community. You may not be a churchgoer yourself, but do give Lewis & his family a welcome, and work with them and us to make our communities more caring and open to those who disagree with each other. The recent lockdown has demonstrated the way that neighbours can care for each other - long may this attitude carry on. I cannot speak too highly of our neighbours. They have between them done much of our shopping, & made sure we are both OK. Thanks to all of you. The Revd Jimmy Hamilton-Brown https://wvmabenefice.uk/ for the latest information. Church Opening - 5th July There has been much in the news recently about opening our churches for private prayer. The Benefice leaders met [last week] and have opted to open Clenston from the 5th July for 2 hours each Sunday, between 2 and 4pm. Social distancing will apply and we are grateful to Clenston PCC for their hosting. We are planning a public service on 19th July, also at Clenston at 2pm and will be continuing with our Zoom services each week at 10.30am. Please check Pews News for any changes to this plan. Please Note: The church is open for private prayer only. Please respect other visitors and do not congregate. Sanitizer & paper towels & waste bin are provided. Please keep to your social distancing. Enter by the marked door and leave by the exit door. On each pew is a green card, after using a pew please turn the card over. Do not use a pew with a red card Any problems please call Mrs Chichester on 01258 880935
The Milton Abbas Surgery The Milton Abbas Surgery Team would like to give a BIG shout out to all of our volunteers who have been delivering prescriptions for us, to those of you who have donated face masks and shields, or dropped off thoughtful items that brightened up our day... the list is endless but you know who you are! You are amazing, and we have been touched by the community spirit shown amongst our patients. GP practices across the area have significantly altered their working practices to help them manage capacity for the coronavirus response. In order to continue slowing down the spread of the virus and keep
people safe, primary care across Dorset is seeking to continue to deliver services, via this new approach, whilst maximising the use of technology. With this in mind, it is vital that we ensure people understand how to access primary care in order to maintain patient and staff safety and establish a 'new normal' which embraces the positive changes brought over the last few months. Key messages: Primary care has remained open throughout the pandemic, even though our doors are closed. If you think you need to see a doctor please call the practice for a telephone appointment or use e-consult via the practice website. Note that in order to manage as many patients as possible in a safe and appropriate way, you might not see or speak to your GP of choice. If you need to be seen face-to-face then you will be given an appointment to come to the practice. Please only visit the surgery in person if you have an appointment; remember we also offer video consultations, please ask about these. We want to discourage people waiting inside the surgery, to reduce the spread of coronavirus. Coming in for a booked appointment means you will be seen promptly. Staff will clean down areas before your arrival to keep you safe. Routine vaccinations and immunisations and cervical screening are important and are available at the practice. If you have coronavirus symptoms DO NOT come into the practice - self isolate and seek help via your practice, via NHS 111, or via 111.nhs.uk Monday 10th - Sunday 16th August 2020 is National Allotment Week! National Allotment Week celebrates how important allotments and other open spaces are, and the role they play in helping people to live healthier lifestyles, grow their own food, develop friendships and bolster communities. Spending time in green space or bringing nature into your everyday life can benefit both your mental and physical wellbeing. Their theme for 2020 is Growing Food for Health and Well-being, a reflection of the many benefits of growing, cooking and eating your own fruit and vegetables. You may not have access to your local allotment, but why not consider planting vegetables in your garden. If you don't have access to a garden, you could plant salad leaves or herbs in a window box or plant pot. Whatever you do, take some time this August to appreciate being outside in our beautiful countryside and allow nature to work its wonders!
The Blandford Surgeries Want to improve your health and wellbeing? Health Apps can make a big difference. Dorset CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) has partnered up with ORCHA (the Organisation for the Review of Care and Health Applications) to provide an apps site for you all to do just this. They have reviewed thousands of apps so you can find the best and safest. Discover the best apps to improve your health on the website ourdorset.nhs.uk/apps The apps you will find here have had independent and impartial reviews, and you will see that the resultant information is clearly presented throughout. We can all be reassured that any apps shown on this site have undergone a rigorous review process, and feel confident as we choose the best app for us. By bringing this information to our fingertips, it's now possible to identify and compare the best apps for our needs - and to ensure that we, and our friends and families, can get access to quality assured apps.
Streamwatch What a difference a day makes. Last month's Streamwatch article encouraged the reader to explore the grasses and plants along the Winterborne River bank with some tantalising photos of what to look out for. One day after the July article was submitted for publication, the verge was unsympathetically cut by the Highways contractor, flattening all and pushing the fool's watercress into the path of the river where it had been eased back to allow a flow of water. The whole lane did look a sorry state, particularly for those who sought to look for the grasses