PARISHES OF SHIRENEWTON AND NEWCHURCH
MAGAZINE
May 1999
Incumbent: The Revd Hugh Trenchard 424984
Church Wardens:
Mrs Jean Jones Shirenewton 641627
Mrs Cynthia Smith
Shirenewton 626712
Mrs Pam Manning Newchurch 650294
Mr
Steve Manning Newchurch 650294
Organists: Mrs Kath Whittington Newchurch 641600
From the Rector
Dear Parishioners,
No celebration of Easter can make sense unless we prepare for and experience the unique gift of resurrection. When I said on Easter Day that “the Easter Bunny did not rise from the dead” the idea of the chocolate egg and fluffy Easter went out of the window. Resurrection is not about fairy dust or wishful thinking, but it is rather, finding in today`s world, the marks of God who was Himself the victim of this world`s hate. As the resurrection appearances clearly point, God still bears those marks,- the marks of a love ludicrously poured out on us.
The Kosovan orgy of terror and murder is the very first place this “marked God” makes sense, identifying with all who will for ever bear the scars of the many broken bodies, minds and innocence, of a people whose history has still not taught the world the danger and arrogance of power. For east and west alike to couch their actions as somehow in accord with the Right and therefore with God is a blasphemy too far. God is on no side save that of those who, like Jesus, become this world`s victims. Resurrection is His distinctive refusal to let hope wither or die. But it is a real resurrection, where God comes through “damaged.” By giving Himself completely to the world.
Let us be clear, Resurrection is not resuscitation, no Twentieth Century para-medic was time-transported to help. Resurrection is not deception, Jesus’s body stolen and reburied with stories made up to match the claims He had made. Resurrection is the unique glimpse of the sort of God who shows Himself in Jesus, - the God who is willingly damaged for our future. He is it’s guarantor and it’s hope.
With every good wish - Hugh Trenchard
Christian Aid Week - May 1999
Saturday 8th May at Caldicot Methodist Church from 9.30 AM, Coffee morning, Cake stall, Tradecraft stall, Table top sale, £5 per table. Also in the evening, Abertillary Ladies Choir in Concert, guest artist Mr John Thomas (Harpist), commencing 7.00 pm. Tickets £4.00 from Dennis Hopkins, Holly Cottage, Shirenewton, Tel 641294
Monday 10th May. Commissioning Service, 7.30 pm, Caerwent Parish Church. Guest speaker Rev. Elizabeth Griffiths.
Tuesday 11th May. Coffee morning, cake stall, Tradecraft stall at Caldicot Methodist Church from 10.00 am.
Friday 14th May Coffee morning, cake stall, Tradecraft stall at Caldicot Methodist Church from 10.00 am.
House-to-house collections. In previous years we have always had a ready response for helpers. May I look forward to the same willing volunteers ? the Kosovo tragedy is featuring high on the Christian Aid agenda. Please give generously - there are so many people in dire need of help. Can we improve on last year’s total of £516.96 for our parish ? Of course we can ! A new feature this year focuses on debt in the world’s poorest countries, particularly Mozambique, Tanzania and Jamaica - three heavily indebted countries. A pre-printed card addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer calling on him to discuss this debt issue before the G8 summit on June 18/20 is available and if you would like to be associated with this please pick up a card from Shirenewton Post Office or the Church, complete it, stamp it, and post to Gordon Brown as quickly as possible, to show your concern and encourage the Government to lobby other Governments.
St Peters Newchurch - News
We are optimistic that we will be able to ring in the Millenium as approval to dispose of the old bell has at last been received. Shirenewton Treble bell has been recently refurbished and kindly donated to our Parish.
PAM and STEVE MANNING, Church Wardens
Church cleaning
Firstly, I wish to thank all the volunteers. There are still two vacancies for October and November, can you help ? It has been decided to have a working party in December. A special clean for Christmas and the New Year. - IVY WELLS
Shirenewton Mothers' Union
Our March meeting was very well attended. We had more business than usual to discuss as we had to absorb information passed to us from the Diocesan Trustees Meeting and the Deanery Enrolling members Meeting. The Trustees were worried about branches closing through lack of young members. We have staved off that problem for the moment but it could easily arise here in the future, so young and middle-age Mums please think about it. I would stress that Church members of either sex are eligible to join the MU so we have room for Fathers and Grandfathers ! All that’s required is a willingness to believe in and support the Aims and Objects of the Mothers Union. It is not even necessary to attend meetings regularly but obviously the fellowship obtained through attendance is a bonus to membership. Members agreed to be responsible for the design and working of a Wallhanging to be placed above the Lecturn in Church. It is proposed that the tapestry will be commenced and on view during the Church Open Day later this year and completed for a similar event in 2000. It is hoped that the cost of materials will be met by donation or sponsorship. Having sat through our business meeting and then led our prayers we found that the Rector, although no Barbara Woodhouse, was definitely an authority on Dogs with Problems. He gained our rapt attention with his stories about his four-legged friends. We were all moved by the plight which some had been in before they crossed his path, and as an ardent dog lover herself Mrs Ivy Wells was able to give a heartfelt vote of thanks. Next month we are to hear about “Glider Pilots”. A further reminder that the Deanery Festival will be held at St Mary’s Church Caldicot on Tuesday 11th May at 2.30 pm. The amalgamation of Chepstow with Netherwent is quite recent so attendance at Caldicot will be something new for us. Last year of course the service was held in Shirenewton with great success. Please let me know by the 2nd May if you wish to attend. The next meeting will be held at The Recreation Hall on Wednesday 12th May at 2.30 pm. Our speaker will be Mrs Ivy Wells. Join us for Talk and Tea at Three !
AURIOL HORTON - Enrolling Member - Tel 641844
Shirenewton Church Fete - Saturday 12 June 1999 - News Update
We are very grateful for a donation of £300 given to us through John Wintersgill from our sponsors, PHILLIPS METALS (EUROPE), a wonderful start for this years fete. Our coordinator Peter Hesketh and all the committee members are working hard towards a successful day. Anyone who would like to help and especially all stallholders, are warmly invited to attend our next meeting on TUESDAY 18th MAY at the Huntsman at 8pm.
Bernice Bowen and Barbara Davies will be calling to enquire if ladies will
make cakes for the cake stall. Mrs Rachel Bowler and friends have offered to
organise the choosing of the Carnival Queen and attendants, and to decorate the
float, for which we are most grateful. A reminder of the categories for the
Fancy Dress and Float competitions. First and second prizes will be awarded
for:-
7 Years and under
8 Years and over
Group
Single or
Group with childrens vehicle
Mounted Rider
Also the Talent Competition organised by Mrs Elaine Rigby (Tel 641694) will
be for classes:-
5 - 7 yrs
8 - 11 yrs
12 yrs and over.
A reminder that this years fete will have a “1900’s” theme, so please come in the mode of dress suitable for that period if you can. It will be a great day out for all the family, so make a note of the date in your diary now, and please come to our meeting on Tuesday the 18th of May.
W.M.JONES
Would you like to sponsor a pew ?
One of the many internal refurbishments to be undertaken in the immediate future by the PCC involves the return of the pews to their original state. This procedure which involves dipping, sanding and waxing will brighten and lighten the internal appearance of the church considerably. It is hoped that the majority of this cost will be met by parishioners sponsoring a pew at a cost of £100 - although any donation will be gratefully accepted. Those who sponsor a pew may if they wish make the donation in memory of someone special who is no longer with us. A list of sponsors together with any inscription will be displayed in the church in the form of an illuminated scroll. Any parishioner wishing to make a donation or requiring further information should please contact John Nicholas at Barley Hill Shirenewton, Tel 641368
Fair Trade Goods
Fairly traded goods have been available for 20 years from the organisation Tradecraft who offer their producers fair wages and the chance to take out small loans, and pay consistent prices so that the poorer communities can plan and develop, and find their own way out of poverty. You may well be familiar with the handcrafted items traditionally associated with Oxfam; textiles, jewellery, stationary, brass and wooden ornaments. But lately new products have been added; Cafedirect, the milk chocolate bar Divine and most recently, Teadirect - and these are actually on sale in supermarkets. However, many goods are still only available direct from Tradecraft. Purchasing these kind of products offers consumers (all of us!) a real chance to improve conditions in poorer countries, and buying the necessities of life; rice, cocoa, sugar, tea, muesli, dried fruit, coffee, chocolate (!) etc. is perhaps more justifiable and certainly more straightforward than searching for an appropriate gift. The quality of these goods is extremely high.
Catalogues can be obtained directly from Tradecraft:0191 491 0855 if you would like to place an order yourself (p&p is about £3.50). Of course I would be more than happy to order for you. Goods such as tea, coffee or rice are ordered from the catalogue in packs of 6, but if you would like just one pack e.g. 500gms of brown Basmati rice I have many different goods “in stock”.
Just contact me for a catalogue, goods or more information: Marion McAdam, Broncil, Mynyddbach. Tel 641316
Gaerllwydd Women's Meetings - Wednesdays at 2.30 pm
19 May Speaker, Rev Graham Moore, Newport
Shirenewton Women's Institute
The March meeting of Shirenewton WI was a celebration to mark the 47th birthday of our Institute. The President, Mrs Winifred Jones, welcomed twenty six members plus eight guests from the neighbouring WI’s of Llanishen, Devauden Green, St Arvans and Catbrook. Everyone enjoyed an excellent supper which had been provided by Mrs Andrews who as well as playing the harp, sang and gave us some recitations. The evening concluded with a very successful raffle.
The President welcomed members, plus a new potential member, to the April meeting. After the business was concluded, Mr Betts of Five Trees Farm and Fishery, near Trellech, gave a talk, illustrated by slides, about the farm and in particular the ostriches that are reared there. He pointed out that ostriches and emus are both classed as dangerous wild animals. After the talk we were treated to a tasting of smoked ostrich. Mr Betts also passed round ostrich eggs, handbags made from the skins, and decorated eggs, and we were shown packs of ostrich sausages, burgers and steaks, all of which are on sale at the farm shop. Mrs Auriol Horton gave the vote of thanks.
Tea Hostesses for the evening were Mrs M.Gostelow and Mrs W.Chui, and the raffle prize, donated by Mrs P.Noble, was won by Mrs Claire Lewis.
At our next meeting on Thursday 20th May, we will discuss Resolutions for the IGM. This will be followed by a talk by Mr Peter Hesketh who will bring us up-to-date with the World Wide Web. Tea hostesses Mrs B.Halls and Mrs J.Howe. Raffle - Mrs W.Chiu
Shirenewton VPA
At our last meeting on Monday 12th April we had a very nice talk on “Growing up on a Welsh Hill Farm” from Mr M.Tod. Following the talk we had tea and biscuits (and very nice Welsh cakes !) followed by a short business meeting. The main item was an announcement that the May meeting would be a garden visit to Mr and Mrs S.Hunt’s garden at Barn Farm, Newchurch West. Mrs J.Jones won the Vegetable of the Month and also the Flower of the Month. Mrs P.Noble won the raffle. So - Members please note, the next meeting will be on Monday 10th May about 7 ish at New Barn Farm, Newchurch West. Anyone requiring a lift or directions please telephone a committee member. Raffle prize to be provided by Mrs M.James. New members are always welcome, so anyone interested in joining please just turn up.
Sunday School
2 May Sunday school 9.45 am The Chantry
9 May Family
Service 9.45 am Church
16 May Sunday school 9.45 am The Chantry
23
May Sunday school 9.45 am The Chantry
Youth Club TBA
30
May Group Service - No Sunday school
6 June Sunday school 9.45 am The
Chantry
Youth Club workshop TBA Recreation Hall
Youth Club
9 May Beating of the Bounds
6 June Workshops to prepare for
Family Service to raise money for
13 June Kosovo
20 June Family
Service (see above)
3 July Last Village Rounders match of the Millenium
Youth Group - 8+ Lots of exciting events. You would be Very Welcome. Ring Jackie Broughton 641797 or Glynis MacDonald on 641818
Beating of the Bounds
Beating of the Bounds will take place on Sunday May 9th, more or less straight after the Family Service (please note change of date !). Bring a nice picnic, and an umbrella (?) All welcome, dogs, children, adults, crumblies, wrinklies, …….., not necessarily in that order
PYP - (Parish Youth Page)
Hiya folks. Eaten all your Easter Eggs yet ? There are hardly any left in my kennel, they’re a bunch of chocoholics.
But there is Simnel Cake lying around in a tin somewhere (This is because my master doesn’t like marzipan, and simnel cake not only has a scrummy layer of top - but a thick layer running through the middle, which he can’t peel off very politely !)
Anyway, your trad cake has twelve blobs on the top representing the twelve apostles. So here’s a little Simnel cake puzzle for you. Can you unscramble the 12 apostles on the next page ?
(You can find the answers somewhere towards the back of the magazine)
Time to go for a run now. Got to get back into shape after all that chocolate
See Ya ! - PYP
saduj iriotsca
moins terep
duajs
ewrand (son of James)
nimos
majes
masoth
hippil
mewloobhart
wethmat
samej
nohj (son of Alphaeus)
zipanmar !
Bell News
Congratulations Trisha on your first Quarter peal on Friday 16th March.
Trisha Cole - Treble
Vic Duke - 2nd
Sally Utting - 3rd
Alex
Oxley - 4th
Mike Penney - 5th
Martyn Cole - Tenor
There will be ringing on Tuesday 18th May when the Wrinklies will ring in the afternoon, and before that, the Forest of Dean afternoon Ringing Tour will use our tower on Saturday May 8th. We are a very popular tower. Come and join us ! We practise every Friday night between 7.30 and 9.00 o’clock, and then move on to the really good bit when we adjourn to the TA to discuss Life, the World, and everything. Call Glynis on 641818
Village Theatre Visit
Jesus Christ Superstar
Saturday 11th September, New Theatre Cardiff, All Welcome.
Ring Jackie on 641797 ASAP to reserve your ticket
Cookery Corner This month's recipe is a surprise and comes from Marilyn Wintersgill’s kitchen !
Lemon Surprise 1 packet trifle sponges 3 large lemons 3 eggs I tin of condensed milk
Mix together the lemon zest condensed milk and egg yolks. Fold in the lemon juice with a wooden spoon, whisk the egg whites until stiff and then also fold into the mixture. Line a deep dish with half the crumbled trifle sponges and spread half of the mixture on top. Finally, add the remaining trifle sponges and mixture in two layers, refrigerate for 24 hours, then take a large portion and eat it !
Gardening Corner
Sweltering hot today, temperatures up in the low 70’s. The sun is shining bright, the ground is nice and dry and breaking down well with the rake. All is well in the garden, and it’s only the first week in April. This can’t be bad, roll on the summer I say! The first House Martin arrived on the 11th of the month here at Barn farm, two more days to wait for the cuckoo. In the end he didn’t arrive until the 18th, but then who could blame him. I always wait to see what the Blackthorn Winter has to bring before I get too busy in the garden. This is the period when the Blackthorn is in flower, and we always get a cold spell. This year it arrived in style with hard frosts at night, culminating in some 4 inches of snow on the 14th. No wonder that bird decided to leave it for a few days. Given the choice, I think that I would rather have stayed further south. Now we are back to torrential rain and I’m beginning to wish that I had bought some Rice seed this year as well. At least the ground does dry out quickly here, although there are some areas where it is a little bit on the clayish side and stays stodgy for longer. Fortunately, last year I built some raised beds for the vegetables, and this has meant that I can still weed and turn these over, no matter how wet, as I can reach all of the ground from bark paths. Planting will have to wait a little longer for the drier weather to return, so nearly all the time is being spent in the greenhouse at present. Apart from root crops and sugar peas, which are sown direct into the ground, everything in the vegetable patch is raised in trays and pots on the hotbench. Lettuces, tomatoes, melons, courgettes, peppers and sweetcorn are now big enough to be moved on into larger pots, ready to be planted out towards the end of May, when hopefully the risk of frosts has gone. The first broadbeans have been planted out, as have the first early potatoes. I only bother growing early spuds, as it is easier to buy main crop ones straight from the farm. This year I am trying some of the new baby vegetable varieties for the first time. The carrots are already showing and will hopefully provide finger sized carrots in June. I’ve planted them alongside a crop of Garlic, which is another first. Maybe the smell of the Garlic will help keep away the Carrot root fly. Baby lettuce, the size of a tennis ball are also looking good, and hopefully will be as tasty, as will the sweetcorn, which will be heading for the stirfry pan when just three or four inches long. The tomatoes and peppers will be eventually planted in the large polythene tunnel once it is empty. This won’t be for some time as it is now full to the brim with young perennial plants, and half hardy perennials, which will be replanted into hanging baskets by the end of May. Seed sowing is still going apace, with annual flowers and further sowings of salad crops. 1st of May is always the day that the runner beans are put into the hot bench. These will also be potted on within a week, ready for the end of the month. There is still plenty of time to buy seeds if you haven’t got that far so don’t panic just yet. There is still plenty of warm weather to come (we hope)! This is the busiest time of year in the garden. Most of the spring trimming has now been done, but weeding is a job that is never finished. I always liken it to the Forth Road bridge. As soon as I finish, it is time to go back to the beginning and start again, especially with wet days delaying things. I always like to delay doing the weeding for as long as possible, as I hate digging up flowers that are taking a long time to wake from their winter slumbers. Now is the time of opportunity, when you discover what plants have died and what you can treat yourselves to from the many nurseries that are in our locality. Being a compulsive plantaholic means that I can prowl with intent, the aim being to fill all the gaps as soon as possible. I have never been a lawn snob, but I do like to see it relatively weed free. Now is the time to give it a weed and feed treatment, for a healthy lawn look, after you have raked the moss out that is. This can be saved for lining your hanging basket if you are into recycling. Now is also one of the best times to sow a new lawn or repair any patches that have either died or been trodden bare. Sow about 2 ozs per square yard, and make sure you choose the correct mix for the type and position of the lawn you wish to establish. I want to replace a poor area in shade, so a mix suitable for shady areas will be purchased. The soft fruit will soon be in flower. We have always relied on our own bees to do the necessary pollinating, and the honey that results is some of the tastiest. Unfortunately this last winter was a disaster for bee keepers with many losing a large number of their hives, due to the cold and wet, and also the Varroa mite. We were no exception, with all seven of our hives failing to make it through the winter. To ensure that we still get a crop of fruit, meant a trip down to Dorset to collect four “spare” hives from father. I did explain to him that 26 hives were too many for him to look after, and he did agree with my views in the end. All four hives are now positioned in the Monmouthshire countryside, and settling in well. Bees will forage for about three miles (as the bee flies that is). If you don’t move them far enough away from their original home, they will discover some of their old hunting grounds and return to the original hive position. No fear of this happening in this instance! They wouldn’t even make it to the Severn bridge. Well the weeding still waits, so a case of getting back to it. Happy gardening until next month.
- STEVE HUNT.
Flower Arranging
Carol Hunter will be running another series of flower arranging classes starting in April. These start at 7.30pm. at the Recreation Hall. The first class was on 7th April, with further classes on 5th May, 2nd June, 7th July, 1st September, 6th October, 3rd November and 1st, 8th and 15th December. The three in December will be preparing the way for Christmas. This is a small friendly class, run by a well known flower arranger. Learn both new and traditional styles. If you want further information then ring Carol on 641504. PS: Certainly the results that have appeared in this house have been a sight to behold!! STEVE HUNT
Flower Fund
Thank you to those who gave money for this on Easter Sunday - If you missed me the fund will be open all year and onwards. It will mean we can give financial help to arrangers, as flowers are expensive. We still need more arrangers for this year’s rota, so if you can help see the notice in the porch or ring ROSE on 641539 or FELICITY on 650604
(Answers to PYP quiz: Judas Iscariot, Judas, Simon, James, Thomas, Bartholomew, Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Matthew)
Diary
5 May 7.30 pm Flower arranging - Shirenewton Recreation Hall
8 May
9.30 am Christian Aid Coffee morning - Caldicot Methodist Church
8 May
7.00 pm Christian Aid Concert - Caldicot Methodist Church
10 May 7.30
pm Christian Aid Commissioning Service - Caerwent Church
10 May 7.00
pm VPA Meeting - Barn Farm, Newchurch
11 May 10.00 am Christian Aid Coffee
morning - Caldicot Methodist Church
11 May 2.30 pm MU Deanery Festival
- St Mary’s Church Caldicot
12 May 2.30 pm Mothers Union -
Shirenewton Recreation Hall
14 May 10.00 am Christian Aid Coffee morning -
Caldicot Methodist Church
18 May 8.00 pm Fete Meeting - Huntsman Hotel
19 May 2.30 pm Gaerllwydd Women’s Meeting 20 May
7.15 pm WI -
Shirenewton Recreation Hall
30 May Garden Open Day - Barn Farm, Newchurch
Please send notes or disks for next month's magazine to: Pauline Dutton, 4 Newton Manor, Shirenewton Tel: 641677 by Thursday 20th May 1999
May 1999 - Shirenewton
date reader sidesperson
May 2 5th Sunday of Easter Auriol Horton Bernice Bowen Holy Eucharist - 9.45 am Colin Draper Dennis Hopkins
9 6th Sunday of Easter, Rogation Sunday Sunday School Family Service - 9.45 am, followed by beating the Bounds
13 Ascension Day Shirenewton - 7.30 pm
16 7th Sunday of Easter Gareth Thomas Barbara Davies Holy Eucharist - 9.45 am James Bounds Fred Davis
23 Pentecost, Whit Sunday Kevin Bounds Colin Draper Holy Eucharist - 9.45 am Barbara Davies Felicity Hunt
30 Trinity Sunday Group Holy Eucharist 9.45 am
June 6 Trinity 1 Felicity Hunt Winnie Jones Holy Eucharist - 9.45 am Jean Jones Claire Lewis
Newchurch: 2.30 pm every Sunday {page |2}