ETTINGTON VILLAGE NEWS · GIFT will resume after the Christmas break and meet on Thursdays 10th & 24th January. Contact Jo on 740890 or Steve on 740446 if you would like to find out

There are many ways you can keep up-to-date on community events. Visit ettington.org, where you can view current and back issues of the newsletter, as well as keep updated on parish matters. Like us on Facebook (Ettington & Fulready Village Newsletter) and you’ll get updates between issues. Make life easy for yourself and email [email protected] to sign up to receive each issue automatically. Items for inclusion in the newsletter should be sent to the editor Jane Evans on [email protected].

DECEMBER 2018/JANUARY 2019 Ettington PCC would like to wish all our readers

a joyous Christmas and a peaceful new year.

Deadline for items for inclusion in the FEBRUARY issue:

Wednesday 16th January Contact Editor, Jane Evans on 01789 740446 or [email protected]

Newsletter Produced by: Ettington Parochial Church Council

Newsletter Printed by: Parish Magazine Printing, 01288 341617

ETTINGTON VILLAGE NEWS

with Fulready

For Ettington Community Centre Bookings & Enquiries,

contact Gema Batchelor on 07975 682775.

Email: [email protected]

www.ettingtoncommunitycentre.co.uk

Providing Ettington and the

Surrounding communities

with their daily shopping

requirements.

Next Parish Council Meetings:

Wednesdays 12th December

and 9th January, 7.30pm,

Community Centre Lounge.

Mobile Library: The mobile library will be at the Chequers on Wednesdays 12th

December and 9th & 30th January between 9.30-9.50am and at the Church on

Fridays 21st December and 18th January between 3.20-3.40pm. The County

Library also offers a home delivery service to those who are unable to use a

branch or mobile library. The service is primarily for the elderly or infirm and

uses volunteers to deliver the books each month. The contact phone number for

any queries is 01926 851031. There is also a video about the service on the

following website: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/homelibraryservice.

See inside for details of the Christmas Concert by Warwickshire Singers

to be held in Ettington Church at 3pm on Saturday 15th December.

Letter from the Revd Sharon Goble......

Church News December 2018

Mary Poppins returns to the big screen in December 2018, providing a nurturing

presence at another difficult time in the lives of the Banks family. In spite of

all the adventures they shared as children with the magical nanny, the symbolic

patched kite is discarded in the bin and the lessons of life lived freely and

joyfully together have been archived along with their childhood.

At Christmas in a fleeting, fanciful way, there is something in the air which

invites the child out of us again. “As I live and breathe!” exclaims Bert on Mary

Poppin’s return and the irony of his exclamation is not lost on us who find the

spirit with which she embraces life bubbles a childish enthusiasm in us. “Have

you forgotten what it is to be a child?” is the question posed by this new version

of the well-loved nanny and one we might ask ourselves when we breathe more

deeply and meaningfully around the Christmas season.

How extraordinary that the story of Jesus which gives us the Christmas season

not only centres around a child, but the faith that God became one – born, as

the story tells us, some 2000 years ago in Bethlehem. A wonder who wonders

under a starlit sky, dependent and vulnerable, life itself in a fragile baby… I

think God has not forgotten what it is like to be a child, as year on year the

story of his childhood is remembered by us. A traditional carol will again voice

the prayer for the Christchild to be born in us today. What if this Christmas

we embrace the child in us? What if we open ourselves up to the Spirit of the

Christchild that brings new life in us in a fresh, free and fulfilling way?

As her name suggests, and like the Greek tragedy formula of a Deus ex

Machina, the magical nanny Mary pops in, sorts out and then pops off. The baby

Jesus is Emmanuel which means God with us. Jesus was not just visiting earth

but fully identifying, living, breathing, dying, rising to new life and promising to

live in and through us by his Spirit for ever. Jesus said: I have come that they

may have life in all its fullness. That’s the Spirit! I don’t want to let go of that

kite however world weary – but send it soaring wherever the wind blows next!

Sharon.

Reverend Sharon Goble, Rector of Stourdene Benefice

Tel: 01608 682282 E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.stourdene.org

For enquiries regarding weddings, funerals and baptisms please contact either the Rector,

Revd Sharon Goble on telephone 01608 682282 or email [email protected] or the

Associate Minister, Revd John Horton on telephone 01789 459241 or email [email protected].

It would be appreciated if you could try to avoid contacting John on Fridays and Sharon on Saturdays.

If you know anyone who is housebound, permanently or temporarily because of illness, and would like Holy

Communion taking to them, please let Sharon or John know. For enquiries relating to Ettington Church,

contact the Churchwarden, Mr Andrew Harvey, on telephone 01789 740840.

PARISH COUNCIL NEWS

Five Councillors, the Clerk, a representative from the Community Centre Management

Committee (CCMC) and seven members of the public attended the November meeting

held on Wednesday 14th. After the opening formalities, a report from the Community

Centre was received. Afternoon and evening events marking the centenary of the

armistice and arranged by the CCMC took place on Friday 9th November and had been

instrumental in drawing together large numbers from the community. The school was

involved in the afternoon and further entertainment for adults was provided in the

evening with a bar and the presence outside of a mobile ‘chippie’ for sustenance.

Proceeds from the events will be distributed amongst the British Legion, the village

school and the Community Centre (CC) itself. Thanks for the CC’s contribution to the

parish’s WW1 centenary commemoration activities were recorded and Councillor Holtom

reported that the village film, which is being produced to mark the anniversary, will

have its premiere at the Parish Meeting next April.

Our District and County Councillors were unable to attend the meeting and so there

were no updates from those bodies but it appeared that following the outcome of the

referendum, the definitive version of the Neighbourhood Plan had been presented to

the District Council Cabinet at its November 5th meeting and duly been adopted. The

Clerk will convey formal thanks to the prime movers on the Neighbourhood Plan

Steering Group and Avon Planning Services for their invaluable efforts towards the

achievement.

There were three planning applications for consideration and the Parish Council

resolved not to make comment on an extension to 91 Banbury Road, a garage

construction on land adjacent to 57 Banbury Road and some tree shaping at 4 Banbury

Road. Some residents of Banbury Road properties backing onto the playing field

expressed concerns about the possible impact the location of the planned Youth

Project skate park might have in terms of noise and invasion of privacy. Councillor

Smith reported that the location and orientation had been carefully considered by the

project group and the providers. He referred to recently received statistics drawn

from similar installations which demonstrated that the noise levels are unlikely to be

noticeable given the distance from the houses to the installation.

The meeting was advised that Warwickshire County Council Highways Department and

School Transport Section were not persuaded that the lay-by opposite Chestnut Close

is an appropriate place for a school bus pick-up point and had suggested a point 35yds

West of the Rogers Lane stop. Councillors were not impressed and resolved to request

that for a trial period the pick-up point should move up to the other existing bus stop

outside the Old School House.

From the Open Forum, a parishioner raised the issue of large lorries parking on the

road, and often the pavement, opposite the new shop and impeding vehicles emerging

from Churchill Close, as well as pedestrians. The only action possible, as with any other

road traffic malpractice, is to inform the police Safer Neighbourhood Team by dialling

101 immediately. Police resources are sparse but if they can, they will attend and the

more times they are contacted, the more likely action such as coning will be taken.

CHURCH NEWS

A concern had also been raised that the public footpath gate off Rogers Lane has been

chained; the clerk will pass this on to Warwickshire County Council with a copy to the

landowner’s agent.

A grant request from Ettington Brownies was considered and the sum of £100 awarded

towards re-usable booklets for the new programme introduced by Girlguiding.

A request for a £500 donation by VASA was rejected pending the acquisition of

further details.

The next two meetings will be held on Wednesdays 12th December and 9th

January at 7.30pm in the Lounge of the Community Centre.

Remember the non-emergency Police contact number 101 for reporting road

traffic transgressions and anything suspicious.

Ettington PCC: “We Exist to Make Christ Known”

STOURDENE BENEFICE SERVICES FOR DECEMBER

Alderminster Butlers Marston Ettington Halford Newbold/Stour The Pillertons

Sun 2 Dec

Ad.Sunday

10am

Morning Worship

11.15am

Christingle

8am

BCP Comm.

10am

CW Comm.

4pm

Messy Christingle

6pm

Advent Evensong

Wed 5 Dec 10am CW Comm.

Sun 9 Dec

Advent 2

10.30am

CW Comm.

9am

BCP Comm.

4pm

Messy Christingle

5pm Christingle

making in V.Hall

6pm Christingle

Service in Church

8am

BCP Comm.

10am

Morning Worship

Fri 14 Dec 6pm

Carol Service

Sun 16 Dec

Advent 3

9am

BCP Comm.

7pm

Evensong

10am

CW Comm.

6pm

Carol Service

4pm

Carol Service

Wed 19 Dec 7.30pm

Carol Service

Fri 21 Dec 7pm

Carol Service

Sun 23 Dec

Advent 4

10am United Benefice Service in Pillerton Hersey Church

Mon 24 Dec

Christ.Eve

3pm

Crib/Christingle

11.30pm

Midnight Comm.

3.30pm

Crib Service

5pm

Crib Service

4pm

Crib Service

4.30pm

Crib/Christingle

Tue 25 Dec

Christ.Day

9am

BCP Comm.

10.15am

CW Comm.

10.15am

CW Comm.

10.15am

CW Comm.

9am

CW Comm.

Sun 29 Dec

Christmas 1

10am United Benefice Service in Alderminster Church

The January service rota is not available at the time of going to print but keep

an eye on social media and the church lychgate for up-to-date information.

Stourdene Weekly Grapevine & Prayer Guide: The Grapevine details services and

events taking place in the Benefice each week, plus a prayer guide and comment from

clergy on events in the media. You can sign up to receive it at

‘http://www.stourdene.org/newsletters.php’. Items for inclusion in the Grapevine can

be emailed to John Horton on [email protected] or Colette Inman on

[email protected] by the Thursday for inclusion that week.

GIFT (God is for Today): The Benefice Youth Group takes place every other

Thursday during term time in Ettington Church from 7-8.30pm and welcomes children

from Year 6 to age 16. There’s no need to book, just come along. It is free and

refreshments are provided (there’s a small tuck shop for those who want to purchase

extras). The remaining dates for 2018 are 6th & 20th December. GIFT will resume

after the Christmas break and meet on Thursdays 10th & 24th January. Contact Jo on

740890 or Steve on 740446 if you would like to find out more about GIFT.

Church Cleaning & Flower Rotas for December & January We will be decorating the church for our Christmas services and anyone who wishes to

make a financial contribution towards the cost of flowers can contact Lynda on 740755

or Jane on 740446.

Cleaning: w/c 3 Dec & 21 Jan – Liz Lyall w/c 10 Dec & 28 Jan – Pat Beatty

w/c 17 Dec – Jane Evans w/c 24 Dec – Kate Bacon

w/c 31 Dec – Lynda Coleman w/c 7 Jan – Tracy & Philippa

w/c 14 Jan – Janet Brooks

Flowers: No flowers during Advent

Sunday 23 & 30 December – Christmas flowers

Sunday 6 & 13 January – Alison Joyner

Sunday 20 & 27 January - TBC

Update on Events/Services

❖ Bible book club continues to prove popular and enjoyable. The next session will

be on Monday 3rd December at 1.30pm in Church when we will discuss ‘Exodus’.

January’s session is on Monday 7th when ‘Luke’ will be the chosen book. As usual

refreshments are provided.

❖ The village came together in a rather special way over the Remembrance

weekend. With events in the community centre and church, there was something

for everyone and it was particularly lovely to see young and old side by side.

With performances and artwork from the children, sing-a-longs, poetry

readings, film screening, chip van, bell pealing and plenty of cake (we are

particularly good at that last one!), the weekend culminated in a Service of

Remembrance which began at the war memorial and concluded inside church.

The following weekend saw a production of ‘No Petticoats Here’ in church (see

separate report on this). Both the Royal British Legion and St Dunstan’s were

the recipients of donations from these events).

❖ Everyone is invited to a ‘Messy Christingle’ at 4pm on Sunday 9th in Church.

There will be a variety of activities on offer, including making Christingles, and

refreshments will be served.

❖ On Saturday 15th at 3pm the Warwickshire Singers will be performing John

Rutter’s Magnificat in church. Tickets are available in advance (see separate

poster) or you can pay on the door if you prefer.

❖ The Carol Service will take place on Wednesday 19th at 7.30pm, the crib service

at 5pm on Christmas Eve and our Christmas Day Communion service will be at

10.15am.

❖ On Friday 1st February, Ginny Davis will be performing her new play

‘UpDownSizing’ in the community centre to raise funds for Ettington Church.

There will be a raffle and a licensed bar. The doors open at 7pm and tickets

costing £15 (to include a 2 course supper) are available from Kate Allen on

[email protected] or 07913 128367.

No Petticoats Here

A week of events to mark the centenary of the end of WWI concluded with ‘No

Petticoats Here’, a one-woman show by Louise Jordan that took place in a

transformed Church on 17th November. Louise has been researching the

stories of some incredible women and the things they did during the Great War.

From teams of factory workers who played football to crowds of 50,000 to a

female journalist who pretended to be a man so she could make it to the front

line in France. We met the women and heard their stories through song, music

and recordings of their words. Everyone who attended the packed event was

touched by the bravery of the women and stunned by the creativity and

beautiful voice of Louise Jordan. It is hoped to have more events in the future

like this that inspire, educate and entertain.

VILLAGE NEWS

Ettington Poppy Appeal 2018: This year’s appeal raised a grand total of

£2,250.94. There are plenty of people to thank - our house-to-house collectors

and static collectors (shop, school, Chequers, Chase, Houndshill), all those who

organised celebrations in both the community centre and church over the

Remembrance weekend (with proceeds from raffle and afternoon teas

respectively) and to those who generously donated to the collection at the

Service of Remembrance. A big thank you also goes to Andrew Harvey and

Steve Lowe for their hard work tidying up the memorial. Kevin Latham

Monday Club: In November, a good turnout of members and friends enjoyed

lunch and had fun playing skittles at the Navigation Inn, Wootton Wawen. The

December meeting is on Monday 3rd at 7.30pm in the small hall of the

community centre when Richard Churchley will be making his third visit to the

Club to tell us about ‘Songs the Victorians Sang’. We expect to join in some of

Richard’s songs accompanied by him on his piano accordion and cittern as we

enjoy wine and mince pies, sitting at festively decorated tables. Our special

Christmas raffle will also take place. Visitors are most welcome to join us at a

cost of £5. Further details from Pat L on 740442. There is no meeting at the

community centre in January as we will be going to the Academy Restaurant at

Stratford College for lunch on Tuesday January 22nd, something to look

forward to once we have recovered from all the Christmas and New Year

activities. A reminder for members to bring £10 for the meal at the December

meeting. Further details from Pat B on 740664. Ginny Davis will be performing

her new play ‘UpDownSizing’ in Ettington Community Centre on Friday February

1st; there will be a table of Monday Club members in the audience, the more the

merrier! Wishing members and villagers a happy and healthy 2019.

Ettington Park Hotel: Local historian and author John R Hodges has just

published a very informative and entertaining new book entitled ‘Ettington Park

Hotel (reputed to be the most haunted hotel in England)’. This is the latest in a

series of books written by this accomplished author on the subject of historic

houses, many converted to hotels or conference centres and the like. Alveston

Manor, Chateau Impney, Witley Court and Welcombe House, among many others,

are featured in his earlier books. Copies of this latest volume can be purchased

at the Ettington Park Hotel or direct from John Hodges. The price including UK

p&p is £15. Contact details can be found on the author’s website at:

http://www.johnrichard.fast-page.org/contact.html

Ettington Gardening Club Having been a member of the Gardening Club for just over a year, I have sat

through a variety of entertaining and informative meetings, always amazed that the

Secretary, Matthew Marsh, could produce such detailed and engaging write-ups for

the Newsletter whilst never appearing to take much in the way of notes. I deduced

that he must have a perfect memory as his pen barely moves. When he asked if I’d

take on this job at the November meeting to cover his absence, it was with some

trepidation that I said yes. You won’t be surprised to learn that in contrast my pen

never stopped frantically moving across the page and I found myself looking

forward to the speaker's musical interludes so that I could catch up with him! With

no hope of emulating the expert job done by Matthew, I nevertheless hope you

enjoy reading about the visit to Ettington Gardening Club by Michael Brown, MA

Garden History, aka The Historic Gardener, entitled “A Medieval Christmas”.

Despite running half an hour late because of traffic (that old ‘chestnut’ – excuse

the pun), Michael still managed to get to us in time, fully kitted out in Medieval

costume and bearing an array of musical instruments that would have looked at

home on a historical film set. It did seek to remind us how far our speakers come

through sometimes difficult weather conditions, Michael having driven all the way

from Northampton. After a brief introduction that took us from Roman Saturnalia

through to Dickens, Michael educated us on the origins of many elements of our

Christmas celebrations/traditions, including the significance of particular dates,

flowers and customs. All this was accompanied by artwork and musical interludes to

give a real feel for life across Europe in Medieval times. The contrast between the

rich and poor was evident in the pictures he displayed and parallels were drawn, for

instance ice skating was as popular a past-time then as it is now, as was snowballing.

Advent, which begins four Sundays before Christmas, is a time of expectation and

hope before our festive celebrations kick in but in Medieval times, Advent was the

start of the festivities.

Michael took us through the origins and associations with Christmas of such

commonplace things as our carols, St Nicholas, the Yule Log, holly, ivy, mistletoe,

the Christmas tree, our nativity figures of shepherds and three kings, even

Christmas Day itself. One of the images he showed was of a wealthy family’s

banquet, drawing attention to items like the ostentatious show of salt on the top

table – the nearer you were to the top table and the salt, the more

important/wealthy you were. Obviously parallels were drawn to our modern day ‘top

table’ at a wedding. This was contrasted with a picture of a humble family meal

taken at a simple round table near the fire. Some of the origins particularly piqued

my interest, for instance the humble mince pie started life in rectangular form to

represent Jesus’ manger, was filled with fruits and meat and one didn’t eat the

pastry, one took the top off and ate the insides only. Our tasty Christmas pudding

would have also contained meat and I was surprised to learn it didn’t contain any

brandy. One of the most interesting traditions was that of ‘Boy Bishops’. Each year,

choir boys would appoint one of their own to be a Bishop over the 12 days of

Christmas. If he died during that time, he was buried as a Bishop with all the

honours afforded one. Apparently this tradition is still continued in Hereford!

Finally, Michael took us through the 12 days of Christmas, one of our best loved

carols and we were all fascinated to learn the individual legends associated with

each day.

Michael received the customary round of applause for his efforts, not least for

playing so many different instruments, and we all shared refreshments feeling a

little more Christmassy than we did when we arrived. Jane Evans

December’s meeting on Thursday 6th will be a members’ Christmas bring & share

party evening during which we welcome the return of Jo Wall and her Christmas

floral creations. The club’s first meeting of 2019 will be on Thursday 7th February

when we welcome Wendy Moore for her talk titled Johnsons Holiday Show with

Garden Tours. For more information on any of the club’s events please call Matthew

on 748041.

Indoor Model Flying Group: A small group of enthusiasts meet in Ettington

community centre every two weeks on Fridays from October to March from

11.15am till 12.45pm (usually the first and third Fridays). They would welcome

anyone who is interested in joining them. Please ring John on 01789 740688.

OTHER LOCAL NEWS

Wellesbourne and District Lions Club would like to wish you all a very happy Christmas

and to say thank you all very much for giving so generously during 2018. Santa will be

visiting Ettington on Monday 10th (Ettington South - Banbury Rd, Rogers Ln, Ivy Ln,

Manor Ln, Manor Ct, Cherry Cl, Church Ln, Halford Rd) & Wednesday 12th (Ettington

North - Kents Ln, Nelson Cl, Churchill Cl, Chestnut Cl, Hillman Way, Ferguson Cl, Clarke

Walk, Hockley Ln, Avon Cl). Lion Andy Stokes

Pillerton Hersey Parish Council requires a Clerk and Responsible Finance Officer.

9 hours per month. Requirements: some evening work and ability to work from home;

excellent organisational and communication skills; previous experience of clerk to parish

councils would be helpful; working towards or qualified CiLCA desirable. Salary: NJC

scales SCP points 18-23 depending on experience (£9.39-£11.05 per hour). Duties

include: producing agendas and minutes for all council meetings; liaising with outside

bodies; managing budgets and keeping financial records; financial and operational

reporting; ensuring compliance with all statutory requirements; advising the council on

policies and activities and enacting the decisions of the council. For further information

about the role and full job description, please contact [email protected].

Neighbourhood Team Community Surgeries: The Shipston Safer Neighbourhood Team

(SNT) cover Ettington and hold community surgeries in the Shipston area to which

residents are invited to discuss any issues or concerns. The December surgeries will be

from 2.30pm to 3.00pm on Thursdays 6th and 20th and the January dates are 10th and

24th. Surgeries are held in the Shipston on Stour Council Offices/Police Station, West

Street, Shipston on Stour CV36 4HD. You are invited to go along to talk about any

policing issues or concerns you may have. For more information call 01789 444670.

Carers4Carers: Join us for seasonal treat and chat in our festive meeting on Friday

14th December 10.30–12 at Kineton Village Hall. Anita will be on hand to offer some

pampering and TLC. Please let us know in advance if you would like us to look after your

loved one in our Companionship Group. For more details, including help with transport,

please phone Gillian on 01926 640203/07947 893504. The January meeting will be

held on Friday 25th.

Christmas Tree Festival - St David’s Church, Newbold-on-Stour

Sat 1st December 10.30am-5pm & Sun 2nd December 10.30am-4pm

Tea, coffee, soup and mince pies. Produce stall. Admission FREE.

Concluding with the candlelit Christingle service at 4pm

Stratford Beekeepers Taster Day: Are you interested in Beekeeping but not

sure what is involved? Why not join our Taster Day at Luddington Village Hall on

Saturday 26 January 10am-4pm. An informal and low cost opportunity to find out

more. Practical demonstrations (no live bees)! £15 including light refreshments.

Please visit our website for details of courses (www.stratfordbeekeepers.org.uk) or

telephone course organiser Mike Osborne on 01608 661629.

Oompah! Oompah! Oompah band, Bierkeller Schunklers, are back at Pillerton Village

Hall on Saturday 9th February from 7.30pm. Tickets are £10 each including a Sausage

Supper. Tickets available at Pillerton Garage or contact Dom (748215) or Avril

(740047).

Ettington Village Store 6 Banbury Road, Ettington, CV37 7TB

Tel: 01789 748261

Providing Ettington & surrounding communities

with their daily shopping requirements.

We are more than your normal

Village Post Office and Convenience Store.

Our committed and caring staff will be able to help you

with:

• Postal services

• Banking services

• Mobile phone top-up

• Electricity key top-up

• Dry cleaning

• Newspaper deliveries

• Notice board for adverts & community notices

• A well-stocked convenience store

• Bakery – freshly baked each morning

• Fresh fruit & vegetables

• Logs, kindling, coal and lumpwood

• Home deliveries to the elderly & infirm residents of

the village.

• Stationery and copying services.

We are open for your convenience:

Monday – Saturday 7am to 8pm

Sunday & Bank Holidays 8am to 6pm

Support your local store

so we can support our community.

Jane Evans Typing Services Established for over 15 years

Offering high quality, quick and efficient typing and administration services Call Jane on 01789 740446 or email [email protected]

All aspects of plastering.

Full renovations and refurbishments. Clean, reliable and local service based in Ettington.

Tel: 01789 748188 or 07957 645911 [email protected]

Plastering ● Skimming ● Coving ● Tiling ● Painting ● Renovation ● Refurbishment

SMARTSCAPE HARD LANDSCAPING

patios & decking * turfing * garden clearance

tree work * seasoned firewood

driveways * fencing * hedgecutting

Clive Smart

Fully insured

Tel/Fax: 01789 459164 Mobile: 07973 850502

Email: [email protected]

Kits

Parties

Commissions

Courses

New: Party Boxes - All you need to host your own

mosaic party in a box.

All enquiries to [email protected] or

07875 226208.

Visit my Lucy Cooke Mosaic face book page to view

images of my work.

www.lucycookemosaics.co.uk

Please note no responsibility can be taken by the editor or Ettington Parochial Church Council or any individual connected to it if the advertisers in this newsletter do not meet customer expectations. To advertise in this newsletter contact Jane Evans on 740446 or [email protected].

AVON BOILER CARE

24 HOUR EMERGENCY OIL-GAS-LPG

Central Heating Installation & Repairs Boilers Repaired & Serviced Upgrades & Replacements

Underfloor Heating General Plumbing Work

Fully Qualified Local Gas Safe & OFTEC Registered Engineers

FREE ESTIMATES

Tel: 01789 740031 Email: [email protected]

www.avonboilercare.co.uk