ALL SAINTS' VILLAGE NEWSLETTER No. 140
A WHITE CHRISTMAS?
Is it going to be a white Christmas this year? We
certainly seem to have colder weather earlier in the year
than usual, and even snow in November! Perhaps there
will be a white Christmas.
We all love to see a white Christmas, even if we may not
like to be out in it. Somehow it seems to fit with our
picture of what a Christmas should be like. Maybe we
even tell ourselves that it was like that when we were
young: maybe it even was.
Snow covering all the ground and the roof-tops; Christmas
lights twinkling away; holly berries showing red under
their white-hatted leaves; carol singers round the
Christmas tree; hot mince pies....oh yes, we love it like
that!
Part of the attraction of the snow is its unspoilt
newness when it first falls, covering everything with its
whiteness. What is underneath can be forgotten, at least
for a bit. We can pretend for a moment that all is as we
should like it to be.
Alas the snow, too, becomes tarnished, trodden down,
unsightly and messy when it melts. It does not stay the
way we imagine it. That is the trouble with all our
romantic dreams: the reality is never quite what we had
hoped for. With one exception.
The untarnished child who lay in the manger and whose
birth is the whole cause of our Christmas celebrations
did fulfil all that was hoped for. Others tried to tread
him down, to spoil him, to make him take on all the
faults of the world he had entered. But they failed. He
remained untarnished, a sign of hope and a person of hope
for all time.
Whether it snows or not this Christmas, the only way to
make our world look the way we want it to look, is to let
the way of the Christ-child be our way. His love is not
a covering that will melt and fade, but one that will
stay and endure. It will also change all that it falls
upon. It may not make it white, but it will make it
beautiful.
Anthony Priddis
Services
At our 9am morning service on Sunday. 5th December, there will be a
special preacher, Mrs Kirn Gibson, who will be speaking on behalf of the
Dover Word Ministries, a charity for young people in need.
There will be a charity tea after the Carol Service in the Village Hall.
The Christmas services have been arranged as follows:
Christingle Service Sunday 12th December - 5.00 pm
Carol Service Sunday 19th December - 3.00 pm
Christmas Day Saturday 25th December - 9.00 am
Boxing Day Sunday 26th December - 9.00 am
New carol sheets have been prepared by Ruth Murphy and her colleagues at
St Mary's, and will be ready in time for Christmas.
Jackie Ferguson
Jackie was specially remembered at our last All Saints' Church
committee meeting on 14th October. She had been a member of the
committee since 1981, and will be missed here as well as in her many
other activities for the church.
Churchyard
A new seat has been donated by Mrs Carter in memory of her sisters,
Mary and Maisie Lane, and will be placed just to the west of the main
door into the church.
Harvest Charity
The very successful gala concert performed by the drama group and
produced by Teddy Joseph in aid of the TB work at the Raphael Home in
India, together with a tombola and raffle, r.esulted in a profit of
£1,057.08. This amount has been matched from church funds, and a further
£537.50 in donations brings the total to £2,651.66.
Harvest Lunch
This was a successful experiment which will be repeated next year on
the first Sunday in October. It made a profit of £67 which has been
donated to Dr Oliver's Renal Unit at the Churchill Hospital in memory
of Jackie Ferguson, who had always been so much involved with Harvest
Thanksgiving.
R.A.L.T.
CHRISTIAN AID, COLESHILL
The present committee are retiring after ten years of planning the fund
raising in the Village. Over this period £9,151.45 has been raised for-
Christian Aid. We very much hope that there is someone who would be
willing to form a new committee, with good ideas for fund raising.
Please contact Ann Trotman (433545) or Dumpy Swerling (873931).
It's hard work but a lot of fun. Christian Aid week in 1994 is!6-21 May.
HOLY BAPTISM
On 19th September 1993, ALEXANDRA LOUISE, daughter of Peter and Ann Oakley-Smith
of Aylesbury.
On 7th November 1993, DOMINIC MICHAEL, son of Andrew and Susan Tixerant
of Village Road, Coleshill.
HOLY MATRIMONY
On 23rd July 1993, Nicholas Mark Philbedge married Christina Susan Connor,
both of Brentford Grange Farm.
IN MEMORIAM
10th July 1993, Audrey Hamilton of Coleshill House
25th September 1993, Jacqueline Grace Ferguson of Magpie Lane
£ACKIE_FERGUSON Jackie's untimely death at the age of 55 has left all
tn"ose~wno~Rnew~her in the village absolutely stunned.
Jackie and Robin came to the village in 1963 and their three children,
Kerry, Kirn and Joanna, have grown up here. Jackie was a teacher before she
married and she continued occasional supply teaching after that, and in
earlier days she helped run the Sunday School.
Her talents as a flower arranger were superb. She was involved with church
flowers for years, and as a result the church always looked beautiful at
major festivals and weddings. She also organised the flower rota. In her
quiet way she was always so encouraging to everyone, but it was that tactful
little adjustment here and there that always put the finishing touch to an
arrangement.
But it was for her fantastic courage that we will always remember her. Sadly
her first kidney transplant wasn't a success, and it was soon obvious that
she was going to have to dialyse several times a week. Robin built a room
at home for her and it was at this stage the trio of Rita, Pat and Sylvie
sprang into action. They committed themselves to helping her dialyse at home
twice a week. This enabled her to lead a near normal sort of life. Having
said that, there were enormous problems she had to put up with, but Jackie
being Jackie she never complained. She used to say that dialysing was like
having a small party and catching up with everyone's news. She always made
light of these endless hours of treatment.
Then there was the excitement when she was offered a second transplant -
after the operation the ghastly times when it looked as though it wasn't
going to work and then the relief when all looked well, and for those two
years when things looked so much better - all then so devastatingly
to be shattered.
Jackie will also be remembered for what she did for other people. Whenever
there was a crisis Jackie was there, thoughtfully popping round with a cake,
a pie or some other practical help. Her care of other people was incredible,
often when she was far from well herself.
Jackie was a prime example of how a life should be led through her steadfastness,
thoughtfulness, care and loving kindness she showed to everyone. In the last
couple of years, it was lovely to see the pleasure she got from being a
grandmother, and little Tanya Marie obviously just adored her.
We have all lost a very dear friend, and we all miss her more than words can say.
THANK_YOU
Every year there are many people in this village who contribute greatly
to our community and largely go unthanked. As an inhabitant of the
village, I would like to offer a great big 'Thank-you' to all those who
give their support and time to our church, school, clubs, societies,
councils and all other aspects of our life here, that makes this village
such a great place to live. Sometimes, sadly, our thank-yous come too late.
A Villager
EASTER BREAKFAST - MOUNT VERNON HOSPITAL
Many of you were present at the Easter Day Breakfast which successfully
raised funds for the Mount Vernon Hospital Chemotherapy Unit. Fund
raising continued throughout the earlier part of the year with donations
received from the W.I., the Horticultural Society and Stoke Place Country
Club who organised a most enjoyable quiz evening. Jane McNeilly bravely
hosted a Junior Tennis Tournament and family and friends in Seer Green
raised an amazing £1,000 with another quiz supper.
I was able to present the Hospital with cheques totalling £8,000.17, and
during the summer months the new Chemotherapy Unit was built and decorated.
It is a tremendous improvement on the previous facilities and nursing
staff send their thanks to Coleshill and all those who supported this very
worth while cause.
Alex Pond
NSPCC
Raising money for charity is never easy, especially during a recession!
However we have been very grateful for all the marvellous support you have
shown us in the village. With your help we have raised £550 during our
coffee morning, £250 in our House to House collection, and £540 from our
Quiz evening at Stoke Place - a total of £1,340 so far. Thank you.
Our carol singing will take place on December 21st - anybody welcome. We
meet at 7 pm by the church, and will be singing'around the centre of the
village this year.
If anybody would like to join our small committee they would be very welcome.
S.H.
MAGPIE CLUB - CHRISTMAS 1993
Tuesday 21st December 1.30 pm - Carol singing. Meet at the church.
Please bring 4 mince pies in a plastic bag as a gift. (Children under 8
must be accompanied by an adult).
Thursday 30th December 3 - 5 pm - Christmas party for under 10's with
an entertainer in the Village Hall. Please bring a contribution of food
for tea and £1.00 per child towards costs.
Friday 21st January 1994 at 12.30 pm - Lunch (all welcome) in the Village
Hall. Please bring a contribution of food and a donation towards costs.
Madeleine
Margaret
Nicky
728561
727519
721724
COLESHILL C.E. FIRST SCHOOL
At'the end of last term our Sports Day, Fete and Barbecue proved to be an
excellent day with over £600 profit being made. It ended with 200 balloons
being released with the winning balloon reaching Calais. Our end of term
outing was to the London Butterfly House, Syon Park, and it proved an
interesting day.
We had a packed hall, including many ex-pupils, for our Summer Concert at
which the children sang songs from round the world and performed a playlet
about mini-beasts.
We sadly said good-bye to 11 of our children as they moved on to their
middle schools in September.
This term our Parents and Friends' Group organised a Car Boot Sale in the
playground at which £127 was raised. They also held their A.G.M. after
which Miss Ann Trotman showed slides and talked about the flora and fauna
of Coleshill, which was extremely interesting. Afterwards refreshments of
cheese and wine were enjoyed.
We have received six new programmes for our BBC computer as a result of
our collection of Tesco tokens last term and we would like to thank all
those who kindly collected tokens on our behalf.
Our Christmas Bazaar will be held on Saturday, 4th December, starting at
10.30 am, and we shall be delighted to see you all.
COLESHILL & WINCHMORE HILL YOUTH CLUB
The Junior Youth Club, for 10 to 13 years old, continues to run every
Friday evening in the Village Hall, from 6.30 - 8.00 pm led by Steve Francis
and Penny Ware, and would welcome new members. Membership costs £1 and
each session is 50p.
Since September we have had a disco, swimming outing, quiz night and
Hallowe'en party, amongst other activities. We have lots more ideas on
things to do - but we do need more adult help, both on the night and
behind the scenes. Do you have a skill or hobby you'd enjoy sharing or
showing off? Could you help with the tuck shop or with publicity? Would
you consider organising an outing or helping with the transport?
Offers large or small - Penny is waiting to hear from you! (Tel: 722486)
1st COLESHILL BROWNIES
We now have ten Brownies who have spent this term working very hard on their
journey work, and on preparations for the Christmas party that we give each
year for the Contact Group. Natalie has earned her Footpath badge and
Eleanor and Lucinda their Road badge.
The pack took part in the District Brownie Revels which was in the form of
'mini Olympics' and very proudly came home with the District Shield. At the
end of last term some girls attended the County Fun Day and at the end of
term we had a Teddy Bears' picnic when we said Goodbye to Ellen, Susannah,
Jennifer and Rachel who have gone up into Guides. The girls attended Church'
Parade in October, where they once more read the lesson and prayers. We
were joined then by Clare who had just been enrolled as a Rainbow. We look
forward to singing carols at Rushymead and attending the Christingle Service.
This term ends on 13th December and we re-open on 10th January.
There is room for a few more girls next term, if you need any more information
please contact me.
Anne Lake (726852)
Brown Owl
5
COLESHILL W.I.
As usual, Coleshill W.I. has had an action-packed programme during the past
four months. The Festival of Feasts & Flowers at Haddenham drew visitors
from all over the County and beyond. Coleshill's contribution, a tableau
depicting a rush-strewing ceremony, was much admired and chosen to be displayed
also at theBucks County and Wycombe Shows.
The usual party for the St Saviour's Club from West Acton was held in August.
Home lunches were again on the menu, proving very popular and an enjoyable
way of fund raising. Various outings were enjoyed by members, notably a visit
to both Houses of Parliament, an outstandingly well organised event.
Mrs Adamson, who has long been associated with the Chess Group, and is now
a member of the Institute, has been very hospitable in having her usual Garden
Party for the now dwindling Group, and also hosted a lunch party for the
Committee and Home Lunch Hostesses and their spouses. She is now planning a
Pancake party next year.
Other activities have included a Meat & Herb day, with demonstrations, and
a talk on the Real Meat Co which produces meat free of additives and antibiotics,
and "Up, Up and Away", a journey through the stars and galaxies.
Jackie Ferguson had not long been a member of the Institute, but was already
well-known by most of the members for her other activities in the village,
and her loss has been deeply felt.
Rosemary Saunders has retired as President, tribute being paid to her energetic
and caring four years in office. Her committee were particularly grateful for
the meetings which managed to combine business with a certain amount of hilarity.
Muriel Jones is the new President, and four new committee members are replacing
those who have decided to resign. Their past hard work has been much appreciated
by the Institute.
Talks on Corn Dollies, by Mrs V Mann and the joys and tribulations of being
a trainee nurse in the second World War by Mrs L Roberts were well received,
and W.P.C. A Brown made a great impact with her descriptions of the work of
the Family Protection unit. She was rightly proud of the work the unit is
doing in this area.
The Institute is thriving, with 56 members, but mindful that some of the new
additions come from Institutes in the group which have foundered for want of
support,particularly those willing to hold office, so it is grateful to
Muriel Jones, President; Helen Savory, Secretary; and Sue Bullough, Treasurer
and the Committee, who are all keen to keep it in existence.
J.P.
COLESHILL VILLAGE DRAMA GROUP
Since the last newsletter, we have had several play readings and the odd theatre
outing, but right now, dates for your diary are THURSDAY 20th, FRIDAY 21st,
and SATURDAY 22nd JANUARY. On those three evenings the Drama Society will
be presenting "Boeing Boeing", a popular and well-loved farce from the 60's.
It is set in Paris and revolves around airline schedules. At the time of
curtain—up, timetables have for sometime allowed various air hostesses to
spend time in a certain gentleman's flat without meeting each other. As
new 'planes are introduced, however, the earlier neat arrangements start to
come under strain. Come along and see the outcome - tickets on sale soon!
Further details on this and other Drama Group activities from Dick Ware (722486)
or Julia Murray (729266).
POPPY APPEAL
We collected a record £390.50 and the British Legion is most grateful for the
generosity of donors, and the great efforts of the collectors.
A.G.U.
COLESHILL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
The Annual Show on 4th September was very successful. Although the
vegetable classes do not attract so many exhibitors as say 5 years ago,
nevertheless the standard achieved by those who did enter was very high.
To some extent this was true of the flower section with some very fine
blooms giving a fine show of colour in the hall.
The flower arrangers were out in force with a big increase in entrants
and a very encouraging standard. The children's classes were on the
small side but some fine entries. Cakes, pastries, preserves etc were
all well supported and some very close judging resulted. All in all
the committee felt well rewarded for their hard work in putting on the
Show, and of course many congratulations to the very worthy cup winners.
The Greenfingers stall in October was very generously supported by donors
of plants - purchasarswere lesser in number. When one considers the
enormous prices charged by garden centres, the herbaceous plants available
at a tenth of these prices are a tremendous bargain. We hope more people
will turn up next year.
We look forward to seeing you at our next event, the Spring Lecture meeting
in May 1994.
J.S.
COLESHILL TENNIS CLUB
As most of you will be aware, work on building the tennis courts has begun
and will now be left to "weather" over the winter. The top surface will be
laid in the Spring ready for the season, when landscaping will also take
place.
We look forward to many of you joining as members and enjoying the long
awaited game of tennis on our own courts.
If anyone requires further information, please contact David George,
Sharon Hall or any other committee member.
D.G.
C H R I S T M A S G R E E T I N G S - 1993
*****#*****#*##**•*****#*##*******#*•*#****•**•)(•***#
Joan Allan
Tony & Kate Barber
Peter & Jennifer Brock
David & Sue Bullough
John & Julie Burton
John & Ann Chenevix-Trench
Walter & Evelyn Clayton
Kitty Clifton
Ronald & Mary Colles
Nancy Collier
Catherina Cossey & Family
Leslie & Jean Croydon
Marigold Curling
Minnie Darvill
Tony, Pat, John & Fiona Dawson
Christina (Deaky) Deacon
Jim & Alison Dening & Family
Peter & Barbara Dodds
Alan & Jean Dover & Family
Ted,Ann,James,Robbie & Nicky Downie
Jonathan & Lindsey Eardley & gir'ls
Louie Edwards
Jack & Pat Emblow
Robin Ferguson & Family
Bernard & Joan Frost
David & Chris George & boys
Mr & Mrs Gibbon How
Maisie & Andrew Grant
Howard & Catherine Green
John Guest
David & Sharon Hall & girls
Denis & Chloe Hall
Jack & Lindsey Haubner & Family
Les & Joy Hicks
John & Lavinia Horsbrugh-Porter
Bill & Barbara Houlton & Auntie
Geoff & Ginny Jordan
Teddy & Betty Joseph
Chris King
Peter & Ann Lawrence & Family
Marjorie Long-Brown
David & Ineke McCammon & Family
George & Pat McNeil
George & Ruby May
Henry & Diana Maynard
Simon,Ros,Lucinda,Charlie & Olivia Morris
Ron; Ruth, Gregory & Alex Murphy
Michael & Madeleine Murray & Family
Philip & Hazel Pearce
Tony & Stella Platzer
George & Barbara Plumridge
Peg Pomeroy
Derek, Alex, Philip & Susannah Pond
John & Jean Powell
Margaret Price
Micky Px^othero
Jim & Pleasance Riley
Colin, Gillian, Clare & Fiona Sach
Nick & Mary Sadler & Family
John & Helen Savory
Ewart & Jean Smith & Family
Cecelia Spackman.
The Spencer Family
Mollie K. Stone
Les & Joan Street
Pam & Paul Stubbings
All the Swerling Family
Peggy & Ann Trotman
Donald & Anita Urry
Richard,Rosemary, Amber ,Neil & Stuart Valentine
Betty Waite
Dick, Penny, Tessa & Dickon Ware
Sidney & Ann Ware & Family
Chris & Mary Wege & Family -
Spike & Phyllis Wright
Patsy Wright-Warren
The above have advised that they do not propose to send
Christmas Cards locally, but extend to all friends their
best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.
*##*##***###*##**##**####**####*******#*#*#*#*##*##########*##*####****
Bob & Mary Tilson send Christmas Greetings to all friends in Coleshill
COLESHILL CRICKET CLUB The Chairman, Committee and members would like to
wish all our Vice-presidents, supporters and friends
a very Happy Christmas
When all donations are received from the above greetings, a cheque will be
forwarded to the Treasurer of All Saints' Church.
The Reverend Anthony M. Priddis, The Rectory, Church Street, Amersham Bucks
Tel: Amersham 729380
The Revd Dr William Brierley Tel: Amersham 433198
St Mary's Church, Amersham
Sunday Services 8.00 am Holy Communion
10.15 am Family Service (with Sunday School & Creche]
11.45 am Matins
6.00 pm Evensong
SUNDAY 20 DECEMBER (Candlelit) 6.00 pm FESTIVAL OF CAROLS & LESSONS
FRIDAY 24th 4.00 pm BLESSING OF THE CRIB
11.30 pm MIDNIGHT SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION
ALL SAINTS'1 CHURCH, COLESHILL
Sunday Services:
Family Service:
CHRISTMAS SERVICES
Sunday 12th DECEMBER
Sunday 19th DECEMBER
CHRISTMAS DAY
BOXING DAY
9.00 am Parish Communion
6.00 pm Evensong (1st Sunday in month only
9.00 am 2nd Sunday in month
5.00 pm CHRISTINGLE SERVICE
3.00 pm CAROL SERVICE
9.00 am PARISH COMMUNION
9.00 am PARISH COMMUNION
Pro—Wardens
Hon. Treasurer
Hon. Secretary
Mrs D. Swerling, Hobbs Hole Cottage,
Bottom House Farm Lane, Chalfont St Giles 873931
Miss P. Wright-Warren, 1 Amber Cottage 433356
D.C. Urry, Ardlair, Coleshill 727420
Miss A. Trotman, Lawyers Cottage, Magpie Lane 433545
Brownies
Guides
W.I.
Monday Evenings: 5.30 - 7.00 pm Village Hall
Monday Evenings: 7.00 - 8.15 pm Village Hall
2nd Thursday of each month (except August)
2.30 pm Village Hall
MOBILE LIBRARY: This calls in Coleshill every Wednesday morning 9.35 - 9.50 am
stopping alternately at Village Hall and Village Way.
