ALL
SAINTS’ CHURCH, CAMPTON
CONCERT
BY THE
MUSICIANS
OF BEDFORD MODERN SCHOOL
Featuring
the Dance Band, Concert Band and soloists
SATURDAY
11 NOVEMBER at 7.30pm
TICKETS
AVAILABLE
FROM:
Kathy
Taylor (816108) or Linda Garton (819074)
Adults
£5;
Children £2
The Churchwardens of All Saints'
Church,
are delighted to announce the appointment by the Bishop of St Albans of
Dean Henley as Rector of the Benefice of Campton, Clophill and
Haynes.
The announcement of his appointment was made this morning (28 May) in
all
three churches. Dean will take up duties after his Installation
on
31 October.
Dean is in his early 40s and was
accepted
for ordination training after ten years in retail banking. He was
ordained in 1995 and has served in Farncombe near Guildford and then
Badshot
Lea near Farnham.
We very much look forward to welcoming
Dean
and introducing him to all parishioners.
Barry Thompson & Kathy Taylor,
Churchwardens.
June 2006
CHURCHWARDENS’
REPORT – June 2006
On 9 May, we met, along with the Bishop of Bedford, the Archdeacon and
Churchwardens from Clophill and Haynes, to interview four hopeful
applicants for the post of Incumbent in the Benefice. They
were driven around the Benefice seeing ‘the sights’, followed by a
buffet lunch at Clophill with the afternoon being spent in
interviews. While it was difficult to make a decision because all
four were excellent candidates, there was one outstanding applicant
whom we have requested that the Bishop appoint. We had hoped to
be able
to announce who this is in this newsletter, but at the time of writing
(16
May), the legal ‘niceties’ have not been completed and therefore we
must hold
our counsel for a little longer! For those of you in Church on 28
May,
you will have found out who our new Rector is to be. Once the
congregation
knows, we will post details on the parish website.
With or without a Rector, All Saints’ continues to be a busy
Church!! At a recent PCC (Parochial Church Council) meeting we
agreed a list of events to take place over the coming year (& a
bit!). Dates for your diary are therefore as follows:
16 September 2006 – Safari Supper
11 November 2006 – Concert by young musicians from
Bedford
Modern School
25 November 2006 – Christmas bazaar
27 January 2007 – Burns Supper
17 June 2007 – Open gardens
You are all cordially invited to join in with any of these – just look
for notices around the village & in the newsletter giving further
details nearer each date!
The Afternoon Tea on 7 May raised £250 to be split between St
John’s Hospice, Moggerhanger and All Saints’ Church. Thanks to
Jean and Joyce who organised this lovely event and to everyone who
contributed in any way.
Barry Thompson
Kathy Taylor
CHURCHWARDENS
Information from Biggleswade Chronicle correspondent: Annette Glenn
January/February 2006
Brian and Jan Gardner invite their friends from All Saints
to join them for cakes and coffee on Sunday 19th March at 10.15am as it
will be their final Sunday.
Biggleswade Chronicle Community Vouchers from Page 2 of the
Chronicle
each week are being collected to buy toys and craft equipment for the
Sunday
School. Please support by handing them to Gill Maclaren
Morning Prayer last Sunday was led by Reader Audrey Brand on the theme
of
choice.
Brian and Jan Gardner invite their friends from All Saints to join them
for cakes and coffee on Sunday 19th March at 10.15am.
Revd Paul Langham is covering as Minister for All Saints
Church
in a temporary capacity. Last Sunday the parishioners were delighted to
welcome
him to the Sunday service to preach and to give Holy Communion.
December 2005
Information
from Biggleswade Chronicle correspondent: Annette Glenn
On 8th January, Revd Margaret Venables will be leaving to
begin
her new post at Barnack Parish Church near Peterborough.
Margaret’s departure will leave a huge gap in the lives of all those
families who worship at Campton and the two other churches in the
Benefice. Her sermons, which always brought a sense of realism to
Sunday worship as she made the words of the Bible come alive for us
today, will be sadly missed. Her welcoming presence in the services for
both regular churchgoers and visitors, for new families, elderly
residents and the Sunday School children, was always there Both choir
and congregation wish her a happy and fulfilling journey as she leaves
Campton.
A bring and share Celebration Tea will be held on Sunday January 8 at
3pm at St Mary’s School, Clophill to say thank you to Margaret for her
dedicated and loyal service. Everyone is invited and a plate of food
would be appreciated. This will be followed by a Farewell Evening
Service at 6pm at St Mary’s Church Haynes on the same day.
If anyone would like to attend Margaret’s Installation Service at
Barnack Parish Church, there will be a coach leaving Campton on Tuesday
January 31, and the cost will be £10 per person. Please enter
your name on the list
at the back of the church if you would like to go. Exact time of
leaving will
be announced shortly, but it is likely to leave around 5.30pm and
return around
11pm.
We can’t leave the old year without saying a big thank you to Joy
Curtis for leading the Children’s Choir in the Christmas Eve Service,
which was a
lovely addition to the adult choir, who sang us into Christmas Day. The
children
who sang were: Emma Curtis, Victoria Sales, Rachael Radley, Ewan
Jenkins,
Edward Lamb, Christopher Lamb, Hannah Jackson, Amber Jackson, Madison
Jones,
Ellen Strickland, Connor Strickland, Helena Porteous and Abigail
Harcourt. Thank you to the parents who made all the practices.
Information from Campton & Chicksands Parish Council
Newsletter
Thank
you to everyone who has regularly cleaned the church in Campton during
2005. When
the Rural Dean of Bedford, the Rev. Christophet Dent, carried out the
annual
visitation he remarked how ell cared for and lobved the church looked.
Thank you also to the small band of ladies who arrange the flowers in
church. Should anyone wish to arrange some flowers to mark an
occasion which is special to thwm, such as an anniversay, they should
contact Joyce Thompson on 01462 813159. You do not have to be a
professional flower arranger, a simple arrangement looks equally
beautiful and meaningful.
Joyce Thompson
Information
from Biggleswade Chronicle correspondent: Annette Glenn
On
Saturday 24 December there will be a Crib Service at 3pm. The children
will be asked to take part in the preparations of the traditional
Christmas story by
putting together the nativity scene in readiness for the coming of baby
Jesus. Audrey Brand will be leading the service.
At 6pm.there will be a Family Carol Service which will include carols
performed by Campton children’s choir and the adult choir, accompanied
by two talented flautists. Everyone will be welcome.
On Christmas morning, there will be a short Family Communion Service at
10.30am, to which all are welcome.
Campton All Saints will be very sad to see the departure of Revd
Margaret Venables in the New Year to her new Parish at Barnack near
Peterborough. A
bring and share Celebration Tea will be held on Sunday January 8 at 3pm
at
St Mary’s School, Clophill to say thank you to Margaret for her
dedicated and loyal service to the three parishes of Campton, Clophill
and Haynes. This
will be followed by a Farewell Evening Service at 6pm at St Mary’s
Church Haynes on the same day.
If anyone would like to attend Margaret’s Installation Service at
Barnack Parish Church, there will be a coach leaving Campton on Tuesday
January 31, and the cost will be £10 per person. Please enter
your name on the list
at the back of the church if you would like to go. Exact time of
leaving will
be announced shortly, but it is likely to leave around 5.30pm and
return around
11pm.
If
you are still saving the Biggleswade Chronicle Community Project
coupons, please would you put them in the envelope at the back of the
church,
to be collected by Gill McClaren. It is hoped that they will go
towards
buying something for the church at later date. Thanks to all those who
have
been hoarding them.
Information from Church Warden's report
I imagine that by the time you receive this leaflet you
will
already have received a number of Christmas cards and I wonder what
they
have as their picture? I certainly receive cards with wintry scenes -
snow
dusted churches with light glearning through the stained glass windows
or
skaters on icy ponds. But really it is not like that at all. For the
last
few years it has been warm and wet and a more realistic picture would
be
of umbrellas being shaken in the church porch! But it's not just the
weather
that is out of tune, there are also lots of cards with Victorian scenes
on
them, as though Charles Dickens invented Christmas and that it has
nothing
to do with a baby that was born just over two thousand years ago. Even
those
who only send Biblical scenes are out of touch with reality.
The reality is that more people know the song 'We wish you a Happy
Christmas', than know the words of 'Once in Royal David's City'. That
for every family sitting happily around a log fire, there are others
who will be sitting miserably in separate rooms. And as for Bethlehem,
that is no longer a place that lies still in a 'dreamless' sleep, but
is surrounded by a great wall and is a dying
Palestinian community.
So why do we buy cards? I believe we do it because Christmas is a time
of hope and the cards are not about how the world is, but how we wish
it to be.
And with the birth of Jesus that became possible. The world will never
be
like our Christmas cards, but if we allow Jesus to be our light and
life then
things can begin to happen: relationships mended, the hungry fed, and
Bethlehem
set free. So, as you open your cards pray that the world will become
more
peaceful and happy in Jesus' name.
With every blessing for a wonderful Christmas.
Margaret Venables, Rector
As many of you will know, I am leaving the parishes in January. My
final service will be at 6.00pm at Haynes Church on January 8th. There
are many of you I have met during my years here and I would love to see
you again. Please do come along to the service to say goodbye, all are
welcome.
Information
from Biggleswade Chronicle correspondent: Annette Glenn
The
Christmas tree this year is a mighty big one, donated by Bill Roberts
our local farmer, erected in the church on Saturday and it almost
reaches the roof of the side aisle. It was decorated by the children in
the Sunday School in readiness for the crib service on Christmas Eve.
The decorations represent the Jesse Tree which traces Jesus’ family
right back to the Old Testament. The silver stars are the faces of the
children in the Sunday School.
Most people will know that Revd Margaret Venables will be leaving the
Benefice of Campton, Clophill and Haynes early in the New Year to
become the part-time Priest- in-charge at Barnack Parish Church
near Peterborough. If anyone would like to join Campton residents to
travel to Barnack to support Margaret at her Installation Service on
Tuesday January 31st please let the church wardens know. Please add
your names to the booking form at the back of the Church to reserve a
seat on the coach. It will cost £10 per person for
the coach which will be leaving around 5.30pm returning around 11.pm,
but
the exact times and pick-up points will be announced later.
As you
receive this Newsletter, we will be preparing to say goodbye to
Margaret.
Her final service at All Saints will be Parish Communion on Sunday 8
January at 11.15, but she will be celebrating a joyful Evening Service
at Haynes that
evening at 6pm for the Benefice. We cordially invite you to join
us
for either of those services.
Margaret will be moving to take responsibility for three parishes just
north of Peterborough and her Installation Service on 31 January, in
the evening, will be at Barnack Parish Church. We will be
arranging a coach to transport those who would wish to attend this
service but would not want to drive. Please let either of us know
if you would like to travel by coach.
At the time of writing, we have no news of who our new Rector will be,
but action commences in early February when the Bishop of Bedford and
the Archdeacon of Bedford will meet with all three PCCs
collectively. The Churchwardens of the three churches are already
working closely to ensure a smooth interregnum and appointment of the
new incumbent and we will keep you informed via this Newsletter.
We will miss Margaret and her Ministry. The Churchwardens,
members of the PCC, congregation and community would like to use this
medium to publicly thank Margaret for her leadership and encouragement
over the past few years. It’s not always been an easy ride but
we’ve certainly had some interesting conversations on the way – we
thank Margaret for encouraging us to consider wider opportunities and
options.
The Advent Ring is growing in its light and on Christmas Day, the
central candle, representing the birth of Jesus, will be lit. As
we prepare for Christmas, we will be praying for those who cannot be
with their families and for those are less fortunate than
ourselves. We pray especially for Sue Hayhurst and Jean
Luddington as we remember their husbands’, Mike and Peter, first
anniversary.
We have an exciting time ahead as we move into 2006 – we should get our
new bells, we will be opening the church for wider community use, such
as
concerts, and we encourage you all to join in with the life of All
Saints
in whatever way is most appropriate to you. We start 2006 with a
Benefice
service, to be held at All Saints, at 10 o’clock on New Year’s
Day.
With our warm wishes for Christmas and the New Year,
Barry Thompson
Kathy Taylor
Our new heating and lighting systems are now fully
operational;
not only does All Saints look brighter, it certainly feels warmer too!
From our Book of Remembrance, we have remembered the lives of Peter
Dollman, Neil Burns, Peter Wright and Harry Russell. Our thoughts
will be with Jean Luddington and her family this Christmas as we
remember Peter’s first anniversary on Christmas Day.
We invite parishioners to add their loved ones’ names to the Book of
Remembrance. Forms for this are available from the Churchwardens
who will advise of the nominal cost.
We warmly invite you all to join us in preparing for Christmas at any
of
our services. see 'Diary' page for dates and
times.
Information from Campton & Chicksands Parish Council Newsletter
November 2005
Information from Biggleswade Chronicle correspondent:
Annette
Glenn
Reverend
Margaret Venables conducted the Parish Communion service last Sunday
(20th November) Bethany Luddington took her First Communion,
assisted by her
Grandmother Jean; a very special moment for a nine year old. The
congregation were reminded that it was ‘Stirring Sunday’ when in the
old days, the Christmas puddings would have been cooked …loosely
translated it means it’s time to beat a path to Tescos. As always,
Margaret posed an interesting question, on the theme of recognising the
sheep from the goats, inferring that we are sometimes too hasty when we
classify people into predictable groups. We should be prepared to back
down and apologise when we make those errors of judgement and get it
wrong.
A
Remembrance Day Service was held in Campton Church on Sunday 13th
November an occasion for remembering those who died in two
World Wars and other more recent conflicts. Many Service Personnel and
their families, presently stationed at the Chicksands base, came to
represent their Regiments. The sermon was given by Audrey Brand, who
gave a special welcome to the servicemen in uniform. While referring to
the people who had lost family members in two World Wars, she also
included a modern day message; applauding our military services’ role
today as peacemakers.
A two minute silence was kept and wreaths were laid to honour the names
of those servicemen of Campton who had died in World War 1 and World
War
II.
The congregation was invited to stay and share coffee and biscuits
after the service, a Campton and Chicksands getting-to- know-each-other
time, which was much appreciated by everyone.
Linda
Garton, our bell ringer extraordinaire, is at the moment trucking
across a desert somewhere in West Africa and learning a few life skills
she didn’t realise she needed. Stay safe Linda and may you soon find
another internet café to send us more amusing emails. The
bellringers of Campton (especiallyJohn) look forward to your safe
return in December.
Annette Glenn, another of Campton’s outward-bound Africa addicts, has
just returned from her journey to the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho where
she helps needy families, to find that while she was away, thieves had
stolen her car.
Information
from Campton & Chicksands Parish Council Newsletter
On
Tuesday 20th September, we hosted a Confirmation Service for fifteen
Confirmants, six of whom were youngsters from our church. 'The Bishop
of St Alban's, who had never previously visited Campton, conducted the
service. After the very uplifting service, supper was served in the
school hall by ladies of the congregation, to whom we say a very big
'thank you'.
Saturday 15th October saw the blessing of the marriage of Kelly (nee
Inskip) and Chris, a very happy occasion shared by family and friends.
We wish Kelly, Chris and their two little daughters well as they move
to Cyprus with Chris's job.
The weekend of 29th and 30th October sees our gift weekend when we
invite all friends from around the parish to visit the church and make
a gift for its continued work and upkeep. From 9.30 until 12.30 on the
Saturday, there will be a working party where we welcome anyone willing
to help in whatever way, and on Sunday at 10.00 there is a Benefice
Service.
In November, services will be as follows Sunday 6th November 11.15am Parish Communion, Sunday 13th November
10.50
am
Remembrance
Sunday Service, Sunday 20th November 11.15 am Parish Communion, Sunday 27th November
11.15am
Family Praise.
We invite you to join us at any of these services. You will be assured
a
warm
welcome!
Barry Thompson
Kathy Taylor
October 2005
Information
from Biggleswade Chronicle correspondent: Annette Glenn
On
Sunday 16 October at 11.15, there will be Parish Communion at All
Saints’ Church in Campton. The following week there will be a 10
am Benefice Service at St Mary’s Clophill when parishioners from
Campton join to celebrate the blessing of St Mary’s new stained glass
window. On Saturday 29 October, there will be a working party at
All Saints’ Campton from 9.30 until 12.30, to coincide with Gift
Weekend, when everyone is invited to roll up their sleeves,
don mop, bucket, spade or polishing cloth, to help with the twice
yearly
‘spring clean’ of the church and its immediate environs. Coffee
and
doughnuts help the morning along!!
Kathy Taylor
Reverend
Margaret Venables will be leaving the Benefice of Clophill, Haynes and
Campton Churches during January next year. She hopes to go on to do a
short term of
office in the Peterborough area, before retiring altogether. Margaret,
who
was made a Canon earlier this year, will be conducting services until
Christmas.
Margaret shares herself between the three Benefice Churches, especially
on Sundays when her little car sprouts wings and flies from one church
to
another to take Holy Communion with the parishioners. Campton Lay
Reader
and choir leader, Audrey Brand, is especially appreciated for her
continued
support to the Benefice - providing musical direction and services in
the
Rector’s absence.
The All Saints Working Party will take place on Saturday morning of 29
October around 10am. Please be prepared for energetic jobs outside in
the churchyard etc as well as inside the church Outdoor clothing,
spades, wheelbarrows etc would be appreciated. At midday, the work will
stop and hot drinks and sticky buns will be provided for all the
helpers.
Thank you to Campton church members who have once again supported the
Romania Family Shoebox Appeal. Your filled boxes have been sent
to the collection point on 6th November as they have to leave UK in
time to reach their final destination in time for Christmas.
Please save your Biggleswade Chronicle Community Cashpoint tokens. You
will find them on page two of the Chronicle and there will be a
collection envelope in the church.
September 2005
Information
from Biggleswade Chronicle correspondent: Annette Glenn
Reverend
Margaret Venables will be leaving the Benefice of Clophill, Haynes and
Campton Churches during January next year. She hopes to go on to do a
short term of
office in the Peterborough area, before retiring altogether. Margaret,
who
was made a Canon earlier this year, will be conducting services until
Christmas.
Margaret shares herself between the three Benefice Churches, especially
on Sundays when her little car sprouts wings and flies from one church
to
another to take Holy Communion with the parishioners. Campton Lay
Reader
and choir leader, Audrey Brand, is especially appreciated for her
continued
support to the Benefice - providing musical direction and services in
the
Rector’s absence.
The All Saints Working Party will take place on Saturday morning of 29
October around 10am. Please be prepared for energetic jobs outside in
the churchyard etc as well as inside the church Outdoor clothing,
spades, wheelbarrows etc would be appreciated. At midday, the work will
stop and hot drinks and sticky buns will be provided for all the
helpers.
Thank you to Campton church members who have once again supported the
Romania Family Shoebox Appeal. Your filled boxes have been sent
to the collection point on 6th November as they have to leave UK in
time to reach their final destination in time for Christmas.
Please save your Biggleswade Chronicle Community Cashpoint tokens. You
will find them on page two of the Chronicle and there will be a
collection envelope in the church.
The
Confirmation and Baptism Service conducted by Rt Revd Christopher
Herbert, Bishop of St Albans on Tuesday night last week involved
candidates, not only from Campton but from Clophill, Clifton and Welwyn
Garden City. The mood in the church was electric. Every seat was taken
and the gallery was full.
First of all, several children and adults were baptised. Then Bishop
Christopher told stories to the children about his own childhood and
admitted that he was only now learning how to use a computer. Prayers
were said for the candidates and their families and each was given a
lighted candle which was carried from
the altar during the service, to symbolise the light of Christ in our
lives.
After the service, refreshments were served in Campton School Hall,
donated
by All Saints members. The occasion will be remembered in Campton for a
long
time to come.
On Sunday morning, the Harvest Family Communion took place and newly
confirmed candidates took their first communion. The church was
decorated beautifully with all the gifts of harvest, thanks to Joyce
Thompson and her team. Revd. Margaret Venables presented special
Confirmation cards to the Campton children.
Harvest Festival Choral Evensong was held at 6.0pm, joined by other
members of the Benefice, organ by Christine Bartlett. The date of the
Harvest Supper date will shortly be announced.
Come and join in the All Saints Working Party on Saturday morning of 29
October around 10am.when a few hands-on jobs will be tackled, both
inside
and outside the church. Please bring old clothes, wellies, garden tools
and
muck scrapers. Any expert pigeon fanciers will be specially
appreciated.
At midday, the work will stop and there will be coffee, cold drinks and
sticky
buns for all the helpers.
Once again Campton members are being asked to support the Romania
Family Shoebox Appeal. Please do read some of the replies sent by Aid
Workers from last year’s appeal. Please bring your filled boxes with
two pounds on the lid and leave them at the back of the church ready
for collection as soon as possible. Ring Kathy Taylor for details.
01462 816108.
Harvest
Family Praise and Communion will take place in Campton on Sunday 23
Sept at
11.15pm. The candidates who were confirmed by the Rt Revd Christopher
Herbert,
Bishop of St Albans on Tuesday night will be able to receive their
First
Communion at the end of the service.
Coffee will be served afterwards and everyone will be welcome.
At 6.0pm at All Saints, there will be a Family Harvest Evensong. Please
note that the Harvest Supper will take place at a later date, NOT after
Evensong.
Don’t forget to book the date in your diary for the All Saints Working
Party on Saturday morning of 29 October when a few hands-on jobs will
be tackled, both inside and outside the church. Please bring old
clothes, wellies and garden tools. Your support will be appreciated.
There will be coffee and
sticky buns afterwards.
The Safari Supper on Saturday night 17 September was a great success. A
lot of hard work went into organising this event and thanks to all
those
who cooked, washed up or provided Raffle prizes. Everyone enjoyed the
evening and approximately £450 was raised towards Campton Church
Funds.
Last
Sunday,(11th September) Reverend Margaret Venables announced that she
would be leaving the Benefice of Clophill, Haynes and Campton Churches
during January next year. She hopes to go on to do a short term of
office in the Peterborough area, before retiring altogether. Margaret,
who was made a Canon earlier this
year, will be conducting services until Christmas and her three
parishes will
have the chance to show how much she is appreciated, before she vacates
her
place in their busy community.
On Tuesday 20 September at 7.30pm, several young children from Campton,
Clophill and Welwyn Garden City who have been preparing for their
Confirmation,
will be confirmed at All Saints Church by the Bishop of St Albans.
Please
come and support them. Refreshments will be available afterwards and
everyone is welcome.
On Sunday 25 September, Harvest Festival will be celebrated at All
Saints.
Don’t forget to book the date in your diary for the All Saints Working
Party on Saturday morning of 29 October when a few hands-on jobs will
be tackled, both inside and outside the church. Please bring old
clothes, wellies and garden tools. Your support will be appreciated.
The Safari Supper, in aid of Church funds, will take place this coming
Saturday evening, when couples taking part will have to go
looking for their supper in Campton, waving their torches and carrying
their own liquid refreshment. A warm welcome will be offered at the end
of the evening at Campton Manor, where raffle prizes will be drawn.
Information
from All Saints, Campton Newsletter
WELCOME
TO RAFIQUL MOHAMMED!
For the past 23 years, we have supported a child through World Vision.
Rafiqul is 5 years old and lives in a small rural community called
Bethkuri in a remote area in the North of Bangladesh. The people here
speak the Garo dialect and are mostly poor, landless peasants. Because
of this, and because they live in such a remote area, they are given
low priority by the government when allocating resources.
World Vision focus on helping an individual child through community
development programmes. In partnership with the local church, World
Vision is assisting the people of Bethkuri as they work towards self-
reliance. The project ensures that the children are able to attain the
highest educational level of which they are capable, and also provides
health care for them. There are also programmes
of skills training, agricultural improvement, sanitation and village
leadership
training. A savings scheme is helping many families to start or improve
small
businesses.
The project aims to help the community to become
self-supporting. Community members are fully involved in the
running of the
project and are discovering the
value of their own resources and potential.
Do please help us to support Rafiqul over the next few years. There is
a
box at the back
of the church for your donations.
Biggleswade
Chronicle Community Cashpoint Scheme
We are collecting tokens! Please leave then at the back of the church.
Thanks
Wendy
Luddington
Juliette, Justin and Bethany send their thanks to friends in Campton
for the gift they received when their mummy died. They are
enjoying using it on the journey between Grandma's here and Daddy's at
Bury St. Edmonds.
Michael
(Mick) Spavins
Neil and I would like to thank everyone in the parish for their support
and kindness since the untimely death of Mick. We have received
so
many cards, tributes and flowers which have all meant so much to the
family.
Thank you also to the White Hart Golf Society for donating the trophy
in
memory of Mick.
Sandra Spavins
From
the Registers
On Sunday, July 3rd, friends, relatives and the congregation joined
Elise, Hannah and Connor Waiters for their Baptism. We welcome them
into the family of the Church.
July 2005
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF BEING A CHURCHWARDEN
In truth, my very first thought was something like, "Come back Judith,
all is forgiven", but a month after officially becoming a Churchwarden,
1 can honestly say I'm enjoying it!
1 took over the duties when Judith & David moved to Shropshire at
the end of Apdi but the visitation service at which 1 was sworn in was
held on 25 May at St Andrew's Church in Bedford, a serious and joyful
occasion in which the duties of Churchwarden were spelled out and a
legal form of words used. 1 have to admit that 1 did mutter to Barry
that, looking round at my colleagues, 1 felt fifteen years younger than
any one else! After the service we were invited to join everyone else
for a buffet supper and to peruse the various stalls - from one of
these 1 bought a Churchwarden's handbook v@hich I'm sure will be
invaluable.
Thus far 1 have learned where things go, the order in which other
things are done and I've worked with Barry to submit a return to St
Alban's, one of what 1 understand will be many (happy) returns. I've
signed my first faculty application - a bit like applying for
eccliastical planning permission. On a weekly basis, I've taken over
where Judith left off (1 hope) - notices, organising collection-takers
& carriers for the Elements, and 1'rn getting particularly good at
preparing the Register for signature and paying the organist!
1 knew that 1 was taking on a responsible and central role and, with
the support 1 have thus received from the congregation, I'm pleased to
say that 1 am finding the role fulfilling. The people who attend
service at All Saints are tremendous friends - and they will be to
anyone coming along to services and other events.
Kathy Taylor
Other
News
from All Saints
A total of £338 was collected in the doort-to-door collection for
Christian Aid- thank you to everyone who contributed and collected.
June 2005
Thank
you
to everyone who contributed to the following:
£205 collected by rnembers of Campton WI for Keech Cottage and
St.
John Hospice, Moggerhanger
£163 given by friends of WendyLuddington for a portable DVD
player
for Justin, Juliet and Bethany.
Collections during Christian Aid week.
At St Albans Abbey on Saturday April 30, Reverend Margaret Venables was
installed as an Honorary Canon. The Service of Celebration was taken by
Bishop
Christopher and many Campton residents were there to share her big
moment.
The new Church Guide is now available - donations of 30p appreciated.
Thank you to Philip Hoskins for producing
this.
May 2005
Au
revoir
... but not goodbye!
On Sunday, April 24th we said 'Au revoir' to Judith and David Tollman,
soon moving to their idyllic new home in Shropshire. We thank them for
the contributions they have both made to the community in Campton -
Judith has been Churchwarden at All Saints for the past three years;
David was a Parish Councillor and editor of the Campton and Chicksands
newsletter, as well as both being such valued neighbours and friends.
We will miss them! About 35 parishioners joined Judith and David at a
bring and share lunch after the family service, during which they were
presented with some gardening vouchers and other gifts. We all wish
them every happiness in their new home,
From
the
registers:
We were all very saddened by the death of Wendy Luddington, who died on
April 7th. Many friends, members of her family and colleagues attended
her
funeral at All Saints. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jean, Justin,
Juliet
and Bethany.
The Annual Parish and Parochial Church Meetings were held at All Saints
on Tuesday, April 12 th . The following were elected to serve for the
following year Church Wardens Kathy
Taylor, Barry Thompson
PCC Secretary Linda Garton,
I9a
Gravenhurst Road, Campton
PCC Treasurer Brian Gardner
Deanery Synod representatives Audrey Brand, Yvonne Milne
Other members of the PCC Christine Bartiett, Nicky and Clive Fletcher
Sue Hayhurst, Philip Hoskins, John Loveless, Karen Porteous.
Information from Parish Community Newsletter - Editor : D. Tollman
April 2005
BOOK SALE: We must have sorted about 3000 books, during the
week
leading up to the Book Sale. Thank you so much for all the hard
work.
The refreshments were most acceptable, especially the lemon cake.!
£530
was made for Church Funds, all of us went home with book bargains and
had
enjoyed the day. The books that remained unsold have all been passed to
other
charities for sale.
A.P.C.M. The Annual Parochial Church Meeting and Vestry Meeting will be
on Tuesday April 12th at 8.00pm in the church.Reports will be presented
and new members of the P.C.C. will be elected. Please come along.
CONGRATULATIONS: Our Rector has accepted an invitation from The Bishop
of St. Albans to become an Honorary Canon of the Cathedral Margaret
will be installed
at Evensong on Saturday April 30th in St Alban’s Abbey .We are all
invited
to share in this celebration.
CHRISTIAN AID WEEK. Week beginning. Sunday May 15th
Judith Tollman
March 2005
At the time of writing this, most of you must be aware that
we are having a Second Hand Book Sale at Church. People have been very
generous, and hidden around the village in garages and under the stairs
are stockpiles of books waiting to be sorted, priced and then sold to
the book lovers who, we hope, will be queueing
to be admitted. Please support this sale and have a cup of coffee and a
cake
while you are browsing.
Margaret Venables will be back in harness at the beginning of March
when she will be taking the Mothering Sunday service in Campton. We
understand that her two month sabbatical for study leave has been
refreshing and we look
forward to seeing Margaret and, of course, Barney soon.
On Sunday March 13th there will be a performance of Stainer’s
Crucifixion in Shefford Methodist Church at 6pm. Most of the singers
are from choirs in
the Deanery who have been rehearsing in their own church choirs
and
then come together to perform this wonderful Passiontide work. Please
come
along.
It is with great pleasure that we will be holding the fourth All
Saints’ Easter Tea on Sunday April 24th - actually a St George’s Tea -
in the Village Hall from 4pm till 6pm. There will be posters and
tickets available nearer the time but please put this date in your
diaries now. Tickets will be £5 for adults and £3 for
children. All the money raised will be sent to the local hospices.
From the registers:
On Monday, February 21st, the funeral of Marion Davies took place.
Marion lived in Brookside and was a familiar and friendly figure to
many of us in the village. All our thoughts and prayers are with Glyn
and Sharn.
. ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH SERVICES 6th MARCH – 27th MARCH
Sun 6th Mar
|
Mothering Sunday
|
Mothering Sunday Service |
11.15am
|
Sun 13th Mar
|
Passion Sunday
|
Parish Communion
|
11.15am
|
Sun 20th Mar
|
Palm Sunday
|
Benefice Communion Service with Methodists
Procession
from St Mary’s, Clophill to the Methodist Church
|
10.00am
|
Mon 21st Mar
|
Holy Communion
|
Campton
|
8.00pm
|
Tues 22nd Mar
|
Poetry for the Passion
|
Clophill
|
8.00pm
|
Wed 23rd Mar
|
Music for the Passion
|
Haynes
|
8.00pm
|
Thur 24th Mar
|
Passover Supper and
Eucharist
|
Clophill
|
8.00pm
|
Fri 25th Mar
|
Good Friday
Solemn
Liturgy of Good Friday |
Good Friday All Churches open
Haynes
|
Noon – 2.00pm
2.00pm – 3.00pm
|
Sat 26th Mar
|
Easter Saturday
|
Easter Eve Service of
Light
Campton
|
8.00pm
|
Sun 27th Mar
|
Easter Sunday
|
Family Communion
|
11.15am
|
February 2005
This is the first issue of the New Year and I would like to
thank
everybody who contributed to Christmas in the Parish. It was a
magnificent
team effort by many members of the Church and their families, much of
it
“behind the scenes”
The Nativity Crib which was made by the children who came to the
workshop has been much admired by many visitors and worshippers;
congratulations to the artists and many thanks to the adults who
helped, especially Felicity Brown who masterminded the design.
On Monday afternoons, between 2 and 4pm, the Oakley Room is open for
anyone who fancies a chat or a game of Scrabble and a cup of tea. If
you know of anyone who would like the opportunity to come along but
would like a lift please do let one of the Churchwardens know and this
can be arranged very easily. We would love to see you.
The Church is cleaned by a dedicated band of male and female “Holy
Dusters”. At present there is a generous team which means that each
turn only comes around three or four times a year but two helpers have
now retired. If there are any willing volunteers who have not yet been
recruited, Joyce Thompson would happily add your names to the” Band of
Holy Dusters”.
I have to apologise that we were unable to come Carol Singing as
planned this year. We were short of singers, especially gentlemen, and
had to cry off at the last moment. It would be lovely to have some new
singers next year.
We were all very saddened by the death of Mike Hayhurst. Mike died on
Sunday December 19th after a short illness. Many village friends and
members of Sue
and Mike’s family attended the service to celebrate his life, at Norse
Road
Crematorium, Bedford which was taken by Rev. Margaret Venables.
Fund Raising:
By now many of us will have enjoyed the Burns Supper and the dancing
and
hopefully will have raised some funds to keep us going.
We are planning on holding a huge Second Hand Book Sale on Saturday,
March 5th. If you have any books that you need to dispose of we would
love to help you.
They can be children’s books, recipe books, paperbacks, text books,
fiction, maps, any kind of books…………we are happy to collect and store
them. Please ask your friends, families and neighbours so that we can
make a success of this event.
Also returning this year, by popular request, will be the Easter Tea,
just in time to put back all the weight we shall have lost during Lent.
From the Registers:
The funeral took place on Thursday January 13th of Peter Luddington who
died so suddenly on Christmas Day. All Saints was filled with family
and
friends, showing that Peter was held in such high esteem. Audrey Brand
told
us such a lot about Peter who had spent 50 years here. It was a fitting
celebration of his life; Wendy, his daughter read from the Bible,
granddaughter Juliette read a moving poem about a bellringer, and
Justin and Bethany spoke about their memories of a granddad that they
loved so much.
Peter and Jean have been active members of our Church for many, many
years.
He had spent many hours supporting Jean when she was a Churchwarden and
we are indebted to him.
His support of us all continued to the last and he will be sorely
missed.
For fourteen years, Peter was a driver of the Whitbread Wanderbus and
was frequently spotted in Campton on a Friday, picking up and later
dropping off
elderly passengers and helping them in with their shopping, always with
a
smile on his face.
Peter was, of course, a bellringer and Tower Captain for many years and
John Loveless, present Tower Captain, adds:
“Peter Luddington learnt to ring at All Saints, Campton in 1964, as one
of a number of people in the local area taught to ring by Stan Ashton,
of
Clifton, at that time. During the next 40 years Peter was the mainstay
of
ringing at Campton, ensuring ringing took place both for Sunday
Services
and on practice nights. This involved teaching others in the village
and
also keeping the bells maintained. Most people who came to Campton to
ring
during that 40-year period will associate Campton with Peter.
When we moved here in April 2001 we soon became accustomed to his
smiling face and his unique brand of self-effacing humour and were
quickly welcomed into the fold. Unfortunately his ringing activity
became more irregular as his health started to decline but his interest
in what was happening in the tower never diminished.
We have appreciated Peter and Jean's support for both the Bells Appeal
and the training initiatives, which are aimed at preserving and
enhancing ringing at Campton longer term.
Jean and the family asked that donations in Peter’s memory should go to
the Bells Appeal and we would like to place on record our sincere
thanks
for that kind gesture.”
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
ALL
SAINTS’ CHURCH SERVICES 6th FEBRUARY – 27th FEBRUARY
Sun 6th Feb Sun next before Lent
Parish Communion
11.15am
Wed 9th Feb Ash Wednesday
Benefice Communion CLOPHILL 8.00pm
Sun 13th Feb 1st Sun of Lent
Parish Communion
11.15am
Sun 20th Feb 2nd Sun of Lent
Morning Prayer
11.15am
Sun 27th Feb 3rd Sun of Lent
Parish Communion
11.15am
December 2004
Many, many “Thank Yous “
for …the hard work by folks who turned up to prepare the Church for the
winter, gullies cleared, weeds despatched, ivy removed to reveal
gravestones
and walls and clutter cleared.
for…the Birthday gifts of money that will enable us to continue with
our
mission through worship here.
for…the 61 shoe boxes, packed with Christmas gifts, that our Benefice
sent
to families in Rumania
for…the money given to send a cow to Walter’s family in Lesotho: after
the
stimulating talk that Annette Glenn gave us.
From the Registers
The Baptism of Alexander Niah on Sunday November 7th.
Future Dates and Events
On Sunday December 5th there will be a Benefice Toy Service at Haynes
at 10.00am. Children from all three Lower Schools will be taking part.
We are asked to take an unwrapped gift that will then be distributed by
Christian Family Care in Bedford to families in sheltered accommodation
over Christmas. We are also requested to arrive dressed as a Toy!
On Thursday December 9th East Lodge School will be performing their
Nativity Play in the Church. Valmai Green and the children are inviting
anyone in the
Parish who would like to come. It starts at 10.30am.
Carol Singing around the Parish will be on Tuesday December 21st. We
sing around the three main areas of the Parish in rotation and this
year it will be Chicksands. We meet at the Church at 6.00pm to start
singing at 6.30pm. We welcome singers and collectors. If there were
more people to join us, we
could divide in to 2 groups and cover more of the Parish.
If you would like to join us please let me know nearer the time. All
the money we raise is sent to Keech Cottage Hospice and St. John’s at
Moggerhanger.
 This year the children are making
their own Nativity Figures to be placed
in the empty stable at the Crib Service on Christmas Eve. We also have
a
Travelling Crib, a Posada of Nativity figures from Guatemala, that
families
in Campton and Chicksands may have in their homes, in turn, for one of
the
evenings in Advent and finally returned to Church on Christmas Eve. If
you
would like to share in this, please complete the list in Church or
contact
me.
Don’t forget to put in your brand new 2005 diaries that the Burns Night
Supper will be on Saturday January 29th, 2005. More information will be
available in the New Year.
And finally…We will be having a Massive Book Sale in February - please
save any books you may be turning out; cookery books, fiction, travel,
etc. etc. If you have a problem storing them we may be able to store
some of them in Church.
We look forward to seeing you at our Christmas Services especially the
Christmas Eve Carol Service when our children’s choir will be singing
for the first time.
Judith Tollman and Barry Thompson, Churchwardens.
ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH SERVICES 5th December, 2004 – 30th January,
2005
| Sun 5th Dec
|
2nd of Advent
|
Parish Communion
|
11.15am |
Sun 12th Dec
|
3rd of Advent
|
Parish Communion
|
11.15am
|
Sun 19th Dec
|
4th of Advent
|
Morning Prayer
|
11.15am
|
Fri 24th Dec
|
Christmas Eve
|
Crib Service
Carol
Service
Midnight
Mass
HAYNES
|
3.00pm
6.00pm
11.30pm
|
Sat 25th Dec
|
Christmas Day
|
Family Communion with
Carols
|
10.30am
|
Sun 26th Dec
|
St. Stephen
|
Benefice Communion
CLOPHILL
|
10.00am
|
Sun 2nd Jan
|
Epiphany
|
Parish Communion
|
11.15am
|
Sun 9th Jan
|
Baptism of Christ
|
Parish Communion
with
the Archdeacon
|
11.15am
|
Sun 16th Jan
|
2nd Sun of Epiphany
|
Morning Prayer
|
11.15am
|
Sun 23rd Jan
|
3rd Sun of Epiphany
|
Family Service
|
11.15am
|
Sun 30th Jan
|
Candlemas
|
Benefice Service
HAYNES
|
10.00am
|
November 2004
From
the Registers
The funeral of Mrs Pat Carter from Greenway took place on Wednesday,
September
29th.
Apart from the collection sent to The British Heart Foundation, a
donation of £70 was generously given to our Church, well loved by
Mrs Carter for many years.
Cycle Ride
Many thanks to Timothy and Emma for taking part. Unfortunately, that
Saturday was especially windy but did nothing to prevent these two
stalwarts from participating.
Safari Supper
With many thanks to The Friends of All Saints who set up the blueprint
for this event, this year the Church took over the planning and, we
hope, managed to continue the tradition of a splendid evening. 48
people enjoyed a three-course dinner partaken at a variety of
hostelries throughout the village, completing the evening with coffee
and mints at the Manor.
Thank you so much to all who helped to make the evening such a good
night out, and raising over £630 for the Church. We look forward
to the 2005 version.
Memorial Chairs
We have a few more chairs that can be dedicated to loved ones and hope
to have the inscriptions ordered in the New Year. If you would like to
do this, could you contact one of the Churchwardens for the details.
Future Dates
Saturday, October 30th
Working
Party and Gift Day
We are hoping to do all the jobs inside and out that are necessary to
see
the Church safely through the winter.
Cleaners, Roofers, Gardeners, Glaziers, Polishers, Steeplejacks etc can
all apply, coffee and doughnuts provided.
Monday November 8th at 8.00pm in the Church “Lesotho,
Kingdom in the Sky”, Annette Glenn will be giving a slide show and a
talk.
Refreshments will be served from 7.30pm.
All are welcome.
Thursday December 9 th at 10.30am East
Lodge
School Nativity Play in the Church. All are welcome.
Tuesday December
21st
Carol Singing
This year we will be singing to the residents of Chicksands and Priory
Road. We welcome singers and collectors to join us; we meet at the
Church
at 6.00pm to walk up to the South Gate. The evening always finishes
with
suitable
refreshments!
Judith Tollman
ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH SERVICES 7th November, 2004 – 28th November, 2004
Sun 7th Nov 3rd before Advent
Parish Communion With Baptism 11.15am
Sun 14th Nov Remembrance Sunday
Service
10.50am
Sun 21st Nov Christ the King Parish
Communion
11.15am
Sun 28th Nov Advent Sunday Parish
Communion
11.15am
October 2004
From the Registers
On Saturday, August 28th, the wedding of Sally-Ann Monk and Steven
Waddams.
On Tuesday, August 31st, the funeral of Mrs Pam Brown of Penfold Close,
Shefford.
On Sunday September 5th, the baptism of baby Charlotte from Chicksands.
Harvest Sunday
A very big thank you to all who made our harvest celebrations so
enjoyable and successful. The Church looked beautiful and the supper
was delicious. We were able to send £300 to The Bishop’s Harvest
Appeal, which this year will help Coffee Farmers in Nicaragua to get a
Fair Price for their coffee.
Future Dates
Deanery Festival Evensong will be on Sunday October 10th at 6.00pm at
St Mary’s Parish Church, Henlow. The service will be conducted by
Bishop Richard.
Saturday October 16th Safari Supper
This is always a splendid evening, a £12 ticket will give you the
chance to indulge in a three-course dinner in Campton on a Saturday
night.
No need for a taxi home because you will be able to walk and each
course
is taken in a different house. For tickets or information please phone
Linda
Garton (819074) or Yvonne Milne (812653). It is also a very good
opportunity
to meet old and new faces in the village.
Harvest Open Day
The afternoon with the children was great fun and we all enjoyed it.
The pre-school group of fifteen children came first and enjoyed a happy
time making
paper plates of fruit, singing and listening to a story. Later
twenty-six older children spent a very creative time making animals
from vegetables; the leaders were amazed at how inventive they were.
Alex Bowen won first prize
and Emma Wilding second and there were three runners-up. Please contact
Audrey
Brand (850001) if you have not yet received your prize.
Audrey Brand and Judith Tollman.
September 2004
Such a lot seems to have happened in Campton over the summer that I
hope
the editor will allow me space to report it.
Some of you may have noticed the building work that is being carried
out at the moment. We are hoping to install a Central Heating System in
the Church but, before we can go ahead with that, initial exploratory
and preparatory work is being done.
On Sunday July 25th we reinstated an old tradition of having a Church
Picnic followed by games on the recreation ground. Despite the weather,
40 of us, young and old, had a very good afternoon, some chose to chat,
the youngest played games with the parachute and taught the older
members what to do, some
opted for croquet but the more competitive amongst us played cricket. I
think
some Church members have been hiding their talents under a bushel!
Forty children from the Benefice gathered for a fun day on August 19th
at Clophill Church. With an Olympic theme, the children enjoyed a
morning of craftwork, music and a Puppet Show. After a picnic lunch
they had their own mini Olympic Games and the day ended with a short
Praise Service.
A big thank-you to all the children for joining in so enthusiastically
making it such a happy day. Also thank-you to the group of leaders who
worked so hard to make the day a success.
From the registers:
On July 4th, Nyah, the baby daughter of Toby and Ilana of Gravenhurst
Road
was baptised.
Future Dates:
Saturday September 11th Sponsored Cycle Ride in aid
of Herts and Beds Historic Churches Trust. Please phone Jean Luddington
on 812756 for details and sponsor forms.
Sunday September 12th Harvest Sunday
Following a special Harvest Service at 6.00pm we will have our Harvest
Supper in the Village Hall. Please phone Judith Tollman on 851303 or
Jean Luddington on 812756 for details.
Wed. September 15th Harvest Open Day at All Saints
Church
2.00pm -
3.00pm
Activities for toddlers
3.30pm -
4.30pm
Activities for children
7.00pm - 9.00pm Cheese and wine and meet the congregation
Saturday October 16th Safari Supper
ALL
SAINTS’ CHURCH SERVICES 5th September, 2004 – 26th September, 2004
Sun 5th Sept 13th after Trinity
Parish
Communion 11.15am
Sun 12th Sept 14th after Trinity
Parish
Communion 11.15am
Harvest Celebration followed by Harvest Supper 6.00pm
Sun 19th Sept 15th after Trinity
Morning
Prayer 11.15am
Sun 26th Sept 16th after Trinity
Holy
Communion (BCP) 8.00am
Family Service 11.15am
Audrey Brand and Judith Tollman.
July/August 2004
Now is the time to be practising your batting and bowling skills in
preparation for the All Saints’ Family Picnic on Sunday, July 25th. We
are planning to hold the Morning Service on the Recreation Ground,
Rectory Road, Campton at
11.30am to be followed by a picnic with traditional sports for all the
family
to enjoy. Please spread the word and bring your family and friends,
your
picnic plus Frisbees, kites, balls and anything that will add to the
occasion.
Cricket and rounders equipment, and a long skipping rope will be
provided
(we will need enders!)
Thank you to Bruce Porteous for organising the Treasure Hunt for the
Campton and Chicksands Carnival. There were many of us who were unable
to be there because we were busy on the rec. so there will be an
opportunity for another go at the competition at a later date.
And many thanks to the kind people who delivered and collected the
envelopes for Christian Aid Week at the end of May. The contribution
from Campton and Chicksands of £302.67, however small in the
scale of things global, helps to make things better.
From the Registers:
On Sunday June 6th, Matthew Smiles, baby brother to Jacob, was
baptised. It was lovely to see so many friends and family at the
service.
Dates:
We will be holding another Animal Service on the Recreation Ground (or
Church if wet!) on Sunday August 8th at 3.00pm. All animals and pets,
large and small
are very welcome.
If you would like to take part or sponsor someone in the Herts and Beds
Church Cycle Ride, this will take place on Saturday, September 11th.
Details
are available from Jean Luddington, 812756. Posters will be displayed
around the village with further information nearer the time.
Writing this in June, when we are still sowing some of our vegetables I
must ask you to put Sunday September 12th in your diaries as the date
of
our Harvest Celebration at Campton.
Coffee is always served after the Family Service which is the 4th
Sunday
of the month.
Until then I hope everyone has a wonderful summer. We look forward to
seeing you in Church at any of the Services or Prayer Meetings, at
special functions or on the Recreation Ground for the Picnic or the
Animal
Service.
A Churchwarden
ALL
SAINTS’
CHURCH SERVICES 4th July, 2004 – 5th September, 2004
Sun 4th July
|
4th after Trinity
|
Parish Communion with
Baptism
|
11.15am
|
Sun 11th July
|
5th after Trinity
|
Parish Communion
|
11.15am
|
Sun 18th July
|
6th after Trinity
|
Morning Prayer
|
11.15am
|
Sun 25th
July
|
James the Apostle
|
Holy Communion (BCP)
Family Service and Picnic Lunch (Note Time change)
|
8.00am
11.30am
|
Sun 1st August
|
8th after Trinity
|
Parish Communion
|
11.15am
|
Sun 8th August
|
9th after Trinity
|
Parish Communion
|
11.15am
|
Sun 15th Aug
|
Blessed Virgin
Mary
|
Morning Prayer
|
11.15am
|
Sun 22nd Aug
|
11th after Trinity
|
Holy Communion (BCP)
Family Service
|
8.00am
11.15am
|
Sun 29th Aug
|
12th after Trinity
|
Benefice Service
HAYNES
|
10.00am
|
Sun 5th Sept
|
13 after Trinity
|
Parish Communion
|
11.15am
|
June 2004
Our small patch of “God’s Acre “ in Campton tonight is in essence all a
country churchyard should be. The primroses and bluebells have faded
and
been overtaken by cow parsley, as tall as the lichen covered
gravestones
that seem to appear through the mist of blossom. For one who looks more
closely,
there are buttercups and speedwell, small blue birds-eyes hiding
amongst
the stems. The heady scent of the may seems to have perfumed the
village
for the month of its namesake and the elderflower will not be long to
follow.
There is even blossom on the holly. Our churchyard is a safe haven for
many
songbirds who are unselfconsciously conducting their own Evensong
tonight.
Our hedgerows in the Parish are full of stitchwort, campions, vetches,
bugle
and many whose name I have forgotten but I was comforted to find, on a
recent
walk in Maulden Woods a carpet of wood sorrel. This delicate white
flower
is also known as “Alleluya” because “it springeth forth and flourisheth
at
the time when Alleluya is wont to be sung in Churches. This old name is
lost
but the erstwhile bearer of it lives on and still praises God with
sweetest
looks at this most joyful time of the year.”
A Churchwarden.
May 2004
At our Annual Meeting we said thank you and a “temporary” farewell to
three members of the PCC who have stepped down this year. Jean
Luddington has been an active, and I mean active, member of our Church
for many years, most recently as Treasurer. We are all most grateful
for Jean’s work for us and hope that she will continue to be there to
give her advice and help to those of us who
are still comparative newcomers to the village. Jean is one of the few
residents
of Campton whose experience of life here stretches back longer than she
cares
to remember. Kathy Taylor and Fiona Harcourt have also taken a short
break
from being on the PCC but that does not mean they will not be as busy
as
before. We thank them for their commitment and enthusiasm to our
Church.
We welcome Brian Gardner and Linda Garton as new members and Yvonne
Milne
as an experienced hand!
Christian Aid Week
This begins on Sunday May 9th. This year the money given will be sent
to
help the people of The Dominican Republic.
From the Registers
The funeral took place on Thursday April 15th of Mrs. Marjorie Powell.
Mrs Powell was 92 and had lived in Campton for many years.
April 2004
Today
has been one of those lovely Spring days that promise blue skies,
warmth and
blossom, very unlike the Saturday we chose to have a Working Party to
unblock
gutters, weed gullies, cut back ivy and clear undergrowth. It was very
cold
and frosty and we thank all of you who gave up a Saturday morning to
help.
A great deal was accomplished and the roof and churchyard certainly
benefited
from its Spring Clean.
On March 14th Revd. Margaret Venables dedicated the chairs which had
been sponsored by parishioners. If anyone would like to sponsor a chair
and dedicate it to a member of their family please mention it to either
Churchwarden and we could arrange this when we next have a number of
chairs to be done together.
Following the Service many of us enjoyed a Lent Lunch of home made
soup, baked potato and salad in order to raise money for WaterAid. Many
thanks to
the team who organised this.
There is to be a “Bring and Sing” of Stainer’s Crucifixion at St Mary’s
Church, Stotfold on Sunday, March 28th at 6.00pm for those who are
interested
in singing or coming along as audience.
Help or donations to decorate the Church with flowers for Easter would
be greatly appreciated. In either case please contact Joyce Thompson.
(813159).
Thank
you.
. Judith Tollman
March 2004
We are approaching the time of year when Annual Meetings are to be
held. The Church is no exception and our Annual Vestry Meeting and the
Annual Parochial Church Meeting will be on Wednesday March 24th at
7.45pm in the Church. Anyone who is resident in the village is most
welcome to come and hear reports from Church representatives.
DEDICATION OF CHAIRS will take place on Sunday 14th March during the
Family Communion Service. If you have sponsored a chair we hope you
will be able to come.
AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS
A modern meditation on the Stations of the Cross in Drama, Music and
Dance.
We still need some actors, singers and dancers, and readers to take
part though many have committed themselves already. These services will
be in Holy
Week:
Wednesday, 7th April Campton
Thursday, 8th April Haynes
Friday, 9th April Clophill
If you would like to take part please contact Audrey Brand 850001 or
Judith Tollman 851303
SEVEN WORDS TO THE CROSS is the Lent Study Book.
Groups, beginning 25th February will be: Sundays, after said Evensong
at 6.00pm at Clophill Church – to end by 7.30pm, or Wednesday
afternoons at 2.30pm
at Haynes Vicarage
If you would like to take part, please sign the list at the back of the
Church or see a Churchwarden.
MOTHERING SUNDAY – 21st MARCH 11.15am
This is our special service of the year when we especially remember
Mothers, Grandmothers and Great-grandmothers. We look forward to
welcoming you all.
Traditionally, Mothering Sunday was a day when children, mainly
daughters, who had gone to work as domestic servants were given a day
off to visit their mother and family.
February 2004
A huge thank you to all who made Christmas at All Saints’ such a joyous
festival.
The Church looked and sounded beautiful, after the bareness of Advent,
the colours of the flowers, the sparkle of the Jesse Tree and the
richness of the music made the season of Christ’s birthday spring into
life.
Thank you for all the talent and expertise that you shared with us.
From the Registers.
On Sunday December 14th, the Baptism of Abby Helen Lawrence.
The twin baby daughters of Luan and Darren Brown, Ellie Elizabeth and
Lauren
Jade were baptised on Sunday January 11th.
Future Dates.
A Deanery Quiet Day will be held at Haynes on Saturday 21st February
between 10.00am and 4.00pm. Please contact Audrey Brand for more
details (850001)
The Lent Lunch will be on Sunday March 7th in the Village Hall
following the 11.15 Parish Communion service. Tickets will be available
very shortly from Church members. We look forward to seeing you
there.
Judith Tollman.
Thank you to everyone who has decorated the Church with flowers during
the past year, particularly at Easter and Christmas when the Church
looked so beautiful. Thanks also to the good folk who made donations
towards the flowers.
If anyone would like to arrange the flowers in Church occasionally,
please have a word with Joyce Thompson (813159) or put your name on the
new list in the Church.
A big thank you also to the army of cleaners who have volunteered to
clean the Church. Having more people to clean has certainly helped.
Appreciation is also due to Ken Harris who regularly keeps the brasses
sparkling.
Joyce Thompson.
December/January 2004
The first weekend in November was very busy with Gift Day on the 1st.
We welcomed friends who popped in with their Birthday Presents for the
Church, which was over 750 years old this year. Children came and
researched their birthday Saints and made a banner, others came for
coffee and a chat and to
admire the changes made to the Church this year. On behalf of All
Saints’, thank you for the gifts,
On Friday November 7th we enjoyed an informal “Ask the Rector” evening
when we were able to put to Rev. Margaret Venables some of the nagging
questions that remained unanswered. As well as being informative, it
had its very amusing moments as Margaret revealed some hilarious
accounts of some “local” customs that had been passed down from acolyte
or server by word of mouth or imitation and on no theological basis
whatsoever!
The service on Remembrance Sunday was one to be “remembered”. The
Church was full with local families and friends and this year we were
joined by thirty
servicemen and women from the Combined Forces at Chicksands. Wreaths
were
laid at the memorials to those who lost their lives in the Two World
Wars
by Lt. Colonel G. J. Fairclough from the base and Mr D. Tollman on
behalf of Campton and Chicksands Parish Council.
From the Registers: On Saturday, November 15th, the Ashes of Anthony
Fairweather
were interred in the Churchyard.
Chairs: We are at last looking forward to the dedication of the chairs
which you so generously sponsored. This will be done at the Communion
Service on Sunday December 7th and we would be grateful if you could
spread the word to those who have dedicated these chairs in memory of
loved ones
Carol Singing: On Wednesday December 17th we will be Carol Singing
around the village. Unless there is a huge increase in the number of
singers, collectors and supporters we will only be able to spend one
evening singing and we promised last year to start with Priory and
Rectory Roads which were left out last year. All the money collected
will be sent to Keech Cottage, the Hospice for
children and St. John’s, Moggerhanger. We would love more people to
join us.
We meet at Church Corner at 6.00pm with torches and
warm
clothes!
Judith Tollman.
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