Extracts from the

February 2008

Parish Magazine

St Nicholas’ Parish Church www.s8nicholas.org.uk

Vicar: The Rev’d John Sweatman 01304 812296

The Vicarage, Queen’s Road, Ash. TheVicar@s8nicholas.org.uk

Curate: The Rev’d Nigel Hale 01304 813161

Reader: Mrs Ann Talbert 01304 812636

Dr Bill Vennart 01304 812628

Mrs Rosemary Bainbridge 01304 614384

Every Sunday 8.00am Holy Communion

First Sunday of Month 10.00am Family Communion

Other Sundays 10.00am Parish Communion

Wednesdays 10.00am Holy Communion

Thursdays 7.00pm Holy Communion

Goodnestone 2^nd Sunday: 8.00am Holy Communion (BCP 4^th Sunday: 9.30am Family Communion

Chillenden 1^st Sunday: 9.30am Family Communion

3^rd Sunday: 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP)

Ash United Reformed Church

February Services at 9.30am

3^rd Rev David Sturt

10^th Rev Geoff Felton - Communion

17^th Mr Gordon Harrison

24^th Mr Don Cox

Dates for your Diary.

Saturday 2^nd February Coffee Morning in URC Hall at 9.30am

Wednesday 20^th February – Evening Fellowship 7.30pm

Dover Coastguards – Work of the Coastguards

This month sees the beginning of Lent, with Ash Wednesday on 6^th of the month. Ash Wednesday is intended as a reminder that , "Dust you are, and to Dust you will return" , in other words, none of us will go on forever. The previous day is of course Shrove Tuesday, so called because it is the day on which people used to go to confession before the beginning of Lent, and were "Shriven" of their sins by receiving absolution. Lent is meant to be a time of preparation for Easter, and there are various things planned to help in that preparation.

There will again be a series of open evenings run with Wingham church, on the theme of "Faith and the Arts." These will take place at Wingham Church on 20^th & 27^th February, and in Ash Parish Church on 5^th & 12^th March, starting at 7.30pm.

At the Cathedral on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday of Holy Week there will be ILLUSTRATED LUNCHTIME TALKS  1.00 - 2.00pm each day in the International Study Centre. 
These will be illustrated talks delivered by Susanna Avery-Quash – who was one of the curators of the Seeing Salvation exhibition, on images of the cross and resurrection in the visual arts.    A simple sandwich lunch with drinks will be available from 12.45. Contributions towards the cost will be invited.

On the same days: MEDITATIONS OF WORDS and MUSIC for HOLY WEEK   7.30pm each evening in the Cathedral. 
There is also the possibility that there will be accompanying images for each meditation.

It is hoped that there will also be one or two study groups here in the village, details of which are not yet finalised.

There will be more details of these events on the church notice boards nearer the time.

Fr John

COMING AND GOING

Knowing very little about the repair and restoration of clocks – antique or otherwise, I wondered how I had come to agree to write this article.

Our Speaker, Mr J.M. Carpenter, however, couldn’t fail to interest anyone, newcomer or long time enthusiast. Beginning his career in London, he has been based in Woodnesborough since the 1980’s, and specialises in work with English clocks. He told us he had been amazed at the number of quality clocks he had found in the area.

Early clocks had only one hand – you knew the hour but had to estimate the minutes. In the 1660’s pendulums came into use and made clocks much more reliable, with the long case (grandfather) clocks becoming available.

Mr Carpenter brought with him a beautiful 1730’s chiming bracket clock on which he is currently working. Remembering that clock makers at this time made all their own tools, in order to make all the components, and also worked in very bad light, this was a stunning object (and the chime was really delightful).

He also told us about the restoration of a 140 year old school clock in Sevenoaks and various church clocks with which he had been involved.

In the 1850’s cheap, massed produced clocks began arriving from the U.S.A. and many were impounded by Customs, suspicious of the low prices.

After the deaths of both Albert and Victoria it became fashionable to have black marble or slate clocks, but after the first World War many were destroyed as fashions changed. Following the rebuilding of Parliament (including Big Ben) in the 1860’s, Westminster chimes became the new "must have".

It was a fascinating talk and I learnt a lot. Mr Carpenter said that many local villages had their own clock maker – he thought Ash would have done. Did we? I wonder where his workshop was?

Nina Vallack

The Scots can claim to celebrate New Years Day with more passion than here in the south. It may even surpass Christmas in popularity and there are two days of public holiday before the ship is back on course. All nations take pride in the features that cement their people together and demonstrate the differences between them and others but there could be a historical reason for the love of Hogmanay.

At the end of the 16^th. Century the old Roman calendar became unworkable and during the pontificate of Pope Gregory catholic countries adopted the calendar that we recognise today. Scotland followed the trend in 1600 but in England, a protestant country, the change was not made until 150 years later. In England, until 1750, every New Year began on 25^thMarch. In this way 31^st December 1750 was followed by the 1^st of January 1750. When the change was made the dates from 1^st Jan to 24^th March 1751 were removed from the calendar (no one was born and no one died in this period !). Then December 31^st 1751 could end the year and the next begin with 1^st January 1752. A further correction for both nations later in that year led to Wednesday 2^nd September being followed by Thursday 14^th September. This caused riots (but only in England) by some who felt these days had been stolen.

A happy New Year to all ! I trust 2008 will be healthy and successful.

Club competitions are now underway so good luck to all combatants.

Christmas Bingo last month was well attended and there art more sessions for this year.

By special request we have fitted in another Quiz and Ploughmans for 1^st. March.

The short mat season ends with a pre-season get together on 12^th. April (not 19^th. as shown in your fixture book) with a Race Night and games.

Guy Greenwood

Notes from the meeting of 12^th.December

A report on a detailed Health and Safety Inspection carried out by the Churchwardens was received and approved with some minor details that need attention, noted.

A letter has been sent to the District and Parish Councils concerning the state of the church footpath and the inadequate lighting at both entrances since this path is also used by the general public. Reports were received on a visit to Sturry Church to see the results of the re-ordering that has been carried out there, and there was also a report on young people and the church. Arising out of the latter is the intention to have a meeting with the Diocesan Childrens’ Advisor with the aim of setting up an after-school event for primary school children. The idea of a Mens’ Meeting Group was also suggested.

The Treasurer’s report revealed a current deficit of £8,OOO: there is a need for research to be done into bodies that award grants and it is hoped that someone with an interest in this area might come forward.

An article for the Parish Magazine explaining the plans for the church and its financial position will be prepared in the near future.

The matter of churchyard burials was discussed in relation to the limited number of places remaining. A letter has been sent to the District and Parish Councils drawing this lack of space to their attention.

A Lent series of talks in conjunction with Wingham Church on Faith and the Arts is planned.

The main items on the Agenda for the next meeting of the P.C.C. in February will be an update on the Parish Plan and its progress and a discussion on Missions.

February is a good time for tidying the garden, cutting back perennials but still leaving any viable seed heads for the birds, chopping up and adding any top growth to the compost heap. Spread any well rotted leaf mould or garden compost over borders to mulch and enrich the soil. It may seem a chore but once you have made a start it is good to be outside – treat it as a "free work out"! Bending, stretching, raking and barrowing all exercise muscles and it is better to do little and often through the year than suddenly wake up and blitz in about April when it gives both you and the garden a painful shock.

For areas that could do with more spring colour use daffodils and crocus. They should be well in evidence now. If you find any gaps put a reminder on your calendar in September to buy and plant more. It is helpful to keep a note book recalling successful plant combinations you have made or ideas you have seen when visiting other gardens.

Don’t forget that one or two pots or tubs in view from the house or by the front door planted with winter pansies, cyclamen or bulbs and ivy make a cheerful show and later can be replanted in the garden. This also applies to any bulbs grown indoors such as dwarf daffodils and paper white narcissus.

Winter pruning of the laterals on apple trees can take place now but leave cherry and plums till later. Ornamental trees can also be pruned to keep an open balanced shape. It seems the rain last year has made trees, shrubs and especially ivy grow by leaps and bounds; I seem to be constantly pruning and clipping. Shrubs such as eunonymous and Skimmia among others can be propagated by putting 9" cuttings in a slit trench, with a little sand or fine grit in the bottom, in a shady corner of the garden or in a pot. By next year they will have made nice plantlets these are ideal for planting into spring pots with iris or dwarf daffodils.

Our next meeting is on Thursday 28^th February when there will be a talk by Mr J.S.S. Miller on growing vegetables from scratch.

Christine Brown

Mothers’ Union is making its preparations for the United Nations 52^nd Commission on the Status of Women in February in New York. The Theme for 2008 is ‘financing for gender equality and the empowerment of women’ which addresses where spending priorities should be focused to promote the equality of women across the world. "Budget’s are the financial translation of a government’s priorities and policies. It is through the budget that a government[‘s] commitments to gender equality and women’s empowerment move from paper promises to practical policies." Rhonda Sharp. Professor of Economics, University of South Australia.

Financing can be focused in 2 specific ways: Funding for projects that specifically promote equality and fight discrimination; and implementing ‘gender responsive’ budgeting, through analysis of the impact on gender.

Those who fund projects and programmes to specifically address gender equalities, or who adopt gender responsive budgeting include:

• National Governments

• International bodies

• Non-governmental organizations / charities

• Private sector

• Philanthropists / individuals

Mothers’ Union Trustees and Faith and Policy staff will be attending the CSW to lobby governments to make spending on educating women a priority. Mothers’ Union own programmes demonstrate that educating women has double the effect of educating their families and their communities.

Mothers’ union is also developing its worldwide policy remit and will be pioneering a Social Policy Toolkit for other countries starting in 2008. The Faith & Policy Unit has already started research into the biggest issues facing Mothers’ Union members and their communities across the world and initial responses include:

• Child abuse

• Family breakdown

• HIV & AIDS

• Lack of educational opportunities, especially for girls

• Poverty

• Violence against women, including female genital mutilation

Similar research is also being carried out across the world into what members’ faith means to them and how it encourages them to serve as Mothers’ Union members. By doing this we can ensure we are representative of members at all levels.

Also: We collect Foreign coins and Old British coins which we can convert into cash for our work. Do give these in any amount to any member of the Mother’s Union.

Finally: We meet in Ash on the third Monday in the month. Do come to any meeting and see if you’d like to join us. At the local level we are very friendly and not so forceful as at national level!

Nikki Sweatman

Civil Parish Action Plan

The Parish council has publicised this through the Annual Parish Meeting and an Open Meeting in September. The Committee is now drawing up a questionnaire for all parishioners, but in order to consult as widely as possible and cover all issues that parishioners may think important, we are holding an Open Day on Saturday March 15^th in Ash Village Hall from 10a.m. to 4p.m. Village organisations will be able to display information and celebrate what we already have in the village, while we look to the future. Please drop in and share any concerns or issues you may wish to raise ------ Traffic, green issues, sports provision, the environment and any others-------

     We are organising a photographic competition of your favourite village spot and your problem area/issue, be it a broken sign or poor path maintenance. Put your entry, clearly labelled, in the box in the Post Office in Londis Poparound. The results will be displayed at the Open Day on March 15^th.

There will be a chance for Westmarsh residents to air their views on March 29^th in Westmarsh Village Hall from 10a.m.to 12a.m P.A.P.A. Committee

"LAUREL AND HARDY"

Advertising

From the sides of buses, the pages of newspapers and the television screen we are open to those who believe they can make our lives happier. We learn, at our cost, that "Save" is another word for "Buy". We are led to believe that we look better by smearing our faces with the product from the anal glands of the civet cat and our hair is better without "Split ends". Only a Christian can truly tell another that he is "Worth it".

The purpose of advertising is to give a message, to attract, to engage and to induce action. Our attempt to reach out beyond the grey walls of that building in the centre of the village is abysmal. Beyond offering a stranger "Good Morning" and a cup of coffee we feel incompetent to promote our belief in God.

Large companies know the effect of their advertising; we can only guess the effect on the thousands who have visited this church’s website though we are aware of the couple who would claim that it was one factor in their choice of a house in the parish.

www.s8nicholas.org.uk

was setup and has been run by Bob Dubery for years. Now living in France he feels it right to hand on the work of webmaster to another. Whoever that may be he would need to be competent in IT. If none can be found, this means of advertising our Christian face to the younger generation will fold. Those of us who have passed the birth pangs of using a computer should try and "log on" to see how the face of Ash appears to the world.

If you feel that this is just an attempt at the church trying to get "with it" then look up some of the equivalent sites by neighbouring churches e.g. www.woodnesboroughchurch.org.uk or www.eastrybenefice.co.uk. In these and in a number of similar sites you will discover what other churches are doing. Those with time to spare might visit www.canterbury.anglican.org.uk where there is a list of churches within this diocese who believe that this is an important form of outreach.

ONLOOKER

Two speakers from KCC Library Services addressed the January meeting of the Ash Parish Council. They are looking for ways to extend and improve the library facilities at Ash. Numerous ideas were discussed including; extended evening and weekend opening; working with other organizations to provide such things as numeracy and literacy classes; book clubs and reading groups and extended computer facilities.

It was agreed, at the council’s recommendation, that they would attend the Ash action plan event at the village hall on Sat. 15th of March, where they could ask villagers their own priorities for the library.

Also at this event there will be a photographic display of the village and a number of other people interested in the future for Ash village

The United Reformed Church has offered youth support facilities and the District Councillor agreed to liaise with Community Support Officer to help provide qualified and vetted staff.  

Good news for those waiting for a bus in the rain at the Sandwich end of The Street. The new bus shelter is due to be erected on Tuesday 15th. January and should be in existence when you are reading this.

The volunteer footpath monitoring list is being updated and new volunteers such as dog walkers are welcome to join us.

Finally, twinning Ash with another village, perhaps in France, or elsewhere, has been suggested. Recommendations for likely villages abroad would be welcome and the council is to investigate the cost implications.

Lent 2008

A series of Lent talks has been arranged with Wingham. The theme is:

Faith and the Arts

These will be at St. Mary Wingham on 20^th. and 27^th. February and at St. Nicholas Ash on 5^th. and 12^th. March.

A notice to P.C.C. members

Please note that the next meeting of the P.C.C. has been brought forward to Tuesday 26^th. February to avoid a clash with the Lent Groups. The Standing Committee remains on 14^th. February.

Ash Parish Magazine

100 years ago

February 1908. The Parents League has for its object the securing for all children religious teaching in Elementary Schools. The Government plan is to exclude all religious teaching from the regular school course making it an entirely voluntary matter. Such a plan can only end in our schools becoming purely secular.

50 years ago

February 1958. There are regular Sunday Services at St. Nicholas, Holy Trinity, Westmarsh and on two Sundays in the month at St. Augustines, Richborough and Goldstone Mission Church.

25 years ago

February 1988. Carol Singers collected £253 for Canterbury Cancer Care Appeal. A fine evening and the Chandler’s mini-bus behaved well although it had difficulty turning in the narrow confines of car-laden drives. Singers were made most welcome and arrived home hoarse but happy.

Armada ’88 – "Fire over England" will be celebrated in style on 19^th. July.

Ash Football

As one walks down Poulton Lane the attention is caught by the perfect geometric pattern of newly planted fruit trees. On either side they flank the walker until he nears the Ash Brook. But then on the right a space remains clear and however delightful the presence of young apples at blossom time this will insure that they do not swamp the view.

The ground left open is the site of a football pitch. Before the war Ash Town Football Club played its games here and though the ground was little used between ‘39 and ’45 with demobilization and the return of men from the services it became active again. Coincidentally newcomers were taking up residence in the village and in the farms in the northern part of the parish. They must have thought it a bit of drag to have to go so far for a game and from their number another club using the Recreation Ground was formed. Ash United became serious rivals to Ash Town and a certain amount of bitterness existed between the clubs. In the end Ash Town folded though the memory lingered on in the form of its club house that was taken up to the "Rec" and used by its old rivals.

Cricket

At a time of year when cricket lovers live on memories, here are three items that may help to span the days until the covers come off.

George Bernard Shaw claimed that, "The English are not a very spiritual people so they invented cricket to give them some idea of eternity".

The googlie was invented by J.H.T.Bosanquet in 1900. He was initially unconvinced by its legality. "It is not only unfair", he said, "It is immoral".

A Devonian, from a county too wet to be a leader in the sport, was improving his batting using a bowling machine. A delivery hit him on the ankle. Whilst he hopped about in pain the next ball was a bouncer and broke two ribs.

The Column

‘But February made me shiver

With every paper I’d deliver

Bad news on the doorstep

I couldn’t take one more step’

Some amongst us will recognise those words from Don Maclean’s ever popular song "American Pie" and they just seemed quite appropriate as my turn to write the column looms large. I’ve been thinking about this for around a month or so (ever since the gentle reminder) but that’s about all I did and now there’s only 2 days to go before deadline! It’s always quite a challenge producing something interesting and not the same as last year, although maybe I’m kidding myself that anyone would notice!

Those words are a somewhat unhappy way to start the piece, I know, but in truth there does seem to be rather a lot of doom and gloom around in the world at the moment with the assassination of Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan and violence spilling over in Kenya, surely most unexpectedly. It just goes to show what a thin veneer of civilisation covers the human race. Not a good thought. However the cup’s always half-full and whenever things seem at their worst it’s always possible to find something good in the world around us. February means cold and rain but it also means days drawing out and loveliness in the gardens and hedgerows, with snowdrops and crocuses bravely rearing their heads above the grass and reminding us that the garden is only sleeping. Soon it will be time to get the mower out!

For me and my running buddy, often mentioned in this column, it’s time to buy that new pair of running shoes and rev up the training programme again in time for all those summer runs. This year we are going for the ultimate challenge – well the ultimate for me anyway – in that we’re aiming to run both the Great North Run (half-marathon) and the Great South Run in one year. This is quite a challenge as they’re only separated by 1 month, the Great North Run in Newcastle in September followed by the Great South Run, which involves 10 miles around the promenades and naval dockyard at Portsmouth, in October. We tried out the Portsmouth run last year on what must have been the wettest and windiest day in the entire year. At one point the waves were crashing over the promenade in a most threatening fashion! To all those of you out there who so kindly sponsored me a couple of years ago I hope you won’t mind if I come amongst you again later in the year clutching my sponsor form!

Now I think I must have reached the designated specifications for the column so all I need to do is find some piece of really upbeat and uplifting prose to finish with. See you in a year’s time!

‘Life is mostly froth and bubble.

Two things stand like stone,

Kindess in another’s trouble,

Courage in your own.’

Adam Llindsay Gordon

Confirmation:

The next Deanery Confirmation service will be at Ash on June 3^rd 2008, and be led by the Bishop of Maidstone. Confirmation preparation groups will begin (probably in February). Please let Fr. Nigel or me know if you are interested in being confirmed, or received into the Church of England on that occasion

Fr John