1

mag

azin

eJune2011

Your FREE copy, 30p where sold

OUT

LOO

KThe Sodbury Vale Benefice

Chipping Sodbury, Old Sodbury, Horton & Little Sodbury

Happy BirthdaySaturday 7th May was a date to remember for St Johns, Chipping

Sodbury . Being the 727th anniversary of the church, a concert washeld to celebrate this occasion. Under the baton of their Musical

Director Peter Cornford, they performed a varied programme whichincluded pieces such as Mungo Jerry's In the Summertime and

Duke Ellington's Mood Indigo, together with an original piece calledFanfare for the Foundation written especially for the occasion.

http://www.dodingtonparishband.co.uk/

2

ContactsRector The Rev. Canon JaneKenchington, 01454 313159email jane@kenchington.plus.com

Assistant Curate The Rev. Val Bexon,01453 521417email:valeriebexon@onetel.com

Regular Weekly EventsSunday 9.00am Breakfast Club Church Centre Chipping Sodbury11.00am Brunch Bunch, Church Centre Chipping SodburyMonday 8.45am Morning Prayer, St John’s Chipping Sodbury7.30pm Bell Ringers’ practice Church Tower Chipping SodburyWednesday 8.30am Morning Prayer, St John’s Chipping SodburyThursday 8.45am Morning Prayer, St John’s Chipping Sodbury7.00pm Choir Practice, St John’s Chipping SodburyFriday 10.00am Tubbie Tots Church Centre Chipping Sodbury7.00pm Youth Club (age 11-18) Baptist Church Centre

ChurchwardensChipping SodburyPaul Jones-Williams1 Meadow Mead, Yate01454 324970Keith Stanley132 Harescombe, Yate01454 319467

Old SodburyVal Walker16A Melrose Avenue, Yate01454 318286Tony Dixon16 Chatterton Road, Yate, BS37 4BJ01454 321 528

Little SodburyNigel RawlinsLittle Sodbury House, Little Sodbury,BS37 6QA01454 312 269Nancy NagleWinchcombe Cottage,Little Sodbury End01454 319798

HortonTina Hildick-SmithKirrin House, King Lane, Horton01454 320380

Church OfficeOpen during term timeMonday, Tuesday & Thursday mornings9.00 - 12.0001454 325160Emailsodburyvalebenefice@gmail.com

Web Sitewww.sodburyvalechurches.wordpress.com

AdvertisingSylvia FranklinSt. John’s Church Centre07788 111 726

July DeadlineIt's holiday time so please can you have

all editorial to Michelle by June 9th.

3

Dear Friends,As some of you know, Richard and I joined a group of pilgrims from Gloucester cathedralfor a week-long trip to Sicily. It was a pretty comfortable pilgrimage in terms of nightlyaccommodation being in hotels, and although there were early morning starts, we didn’tactually walk miles. But we travelled for miles, criss-crossing the island, visiting manyhistorical buildings.

Sicily, being situated in the centre of the Mediterranean Sea, has a very diverse culturalhistory. Phoenicians and Greek settled there in the 8th century BC; then the Romans arrivedin the 2nd century BC; around AD 60, St Paul stayed for three days in Siracusa - a port onthe eastern side of Sicily and Christianity was brought to the island; later, Arabs colonised itand mosques came into existence; and then the Normans came and the island reverted toChristianity again. We visited 5th century Greek temples; a Greek amphitheatre; Palermocathedral which had been a mosque for some of its history and still bore the architecturalfeatures of a mosque, along with a quotation from the Koran on one of its outside pillars; thecathedral in Siracusa which had been built on the site of a Greek temple, whose pillars wereincorporated into the building along with Arabic architectural features.

The particular highlight of the pilgrimage, however, was visiting the cathedral in Monreale,just outside Palermo. As soon as we stepped inside the building, we knew we had come tosomething extremely special. I’d never seen anything like it. At the eastern end in the apse,was a mosaic icon of Christ the Pantocrator, dominating the cathedral. This icon was huge:the image is 3 metres in height and spanned 13.3. metres across. In Christ’s left hand wasa book with the text, “I am the light of the world. He who follows shall not walk in darkness.”The rest of the walls of the entire cathedral were covered with mosaics depicting scenesfrom the Bible, starting with creation, moving through the Old Testament and through Jesus’life and finishing with the travels of St Paul. The gold and polychrome mosaics, whichcovered an area of over 8000 square metres were stunning. Apparently, 9000 slaves wereemployed to do the mosaic work.

For worshippers, faced with liturgy which was in a language they most probably couldn’tunderstand, these mosaics provided them with the Christian story. “Not my cup of tea”,some may say, “ far too fancy and decorative.” But for every one who says that, there’sprobably someone else who finds it helpful. Sicily with its rich culture of different traditions,somehow combined all that richness into a whole. Monreale cathedral had Latin and Arabcraftsmen working in it – and the architecture shows the resulting variety and diversity in itsstructures.

Sometimes in this Benefice, people say, “not my cup of tea”, when referring to aspects ofworship, for instance. If we want our churches to be welcoming, open and inclusive, thenone of the challenges for each of us is to learn to live with the “not my cup of tea” things aswell as the things we find helpful or we like. It’s not easy, but when we live with a richnessof diversity, we can grow and beautiful things can result. Sicily was a fascinating place – itmade me realise how the Sicilians built on the cultures that had gone before andincorporated the best of the old into the new and thereby enriched it. My longing in thisBenefice is for us to learn to live – and want to live - with the whole diverse mixture ofpeople and come to know the richness that it brings.

With love and prayers,

Rev. Canon Jane, Kenchington, 01454 313159, email:jane@kenchington.plus.com

4

AFRICA FUN DAYFor the Overseas Development Fund

Saturday 25th June 201110am -3:15

Gloucester Cathedral

Most of you, over the years have heardof the work of the Mothers' Union, butnot a lot of people know of the workdone Overseas in the developing worldof AfricaTo enable this work in the education,medical needs and spiritual needs of thepeople, money is very badly needed tocarry out its' life saving work. To help thisyou are all invited to join us at this eventWe have had a branch here at St. John'sfor over one hundred years and wouldwelcome all our friends throughout the

Benefice to come and join us at ourmeetings to learn more about our workoverseas, as well as in this country.All the monies raised will be presented toSue Wilson -Central Trustee and Action& Outreach Unit Co-ordinator at MarySumner house-at the Festival Service on5th November 2011 at 11am to which allmembers and friends are invited.

For more details contact Jenny Evans01454 314035

A wardens work is neverdone

5

Street Pastors.

Following the Commissioning Service onPalm Sunday, the Street Pastors wentout on both Good Friday and EasterSaturday and have now establishedFriday as patrol night. On everyoccasion there are prayer pastorspraying for those on the street, either intheir homes or at the base.

The first sessions started with a briefingto give a few reminders and then prayer,which helped to settle the nervousnessbeing felt at the prospect of the firstpatrol. All the Pastors have generally feltwelcomed and have spent their timebuilding up relationships with the CityMarshalls (who already appreciate thecoffee!), doormen, taxi drivers and pubowners, as well as talking to lot of peopleout to have a good night in ChippingSodbury. Many asked about StreetPastors and seemed interested in whathad motivated the volunteers.

Street Pastors have collected andreturned glasses, collected bottles andcans and broken glass; given out threepairs of flip flops to barefoot women withblisters; handed out lollipops; chatted tothe lonely and the drunk; witnessed afight, when the Police had to be calledand cleaned up blood, which turned outto be tomato ketchup!!

Our most important role is just to bethere to care and listen and try to make adifference. We have already receivedsome positive feedback, through a workplace, from someone who was listenedto.

Our one disappointment so far is that wedo not have enough people who arewilling to come and pray in the base andget the coffee ready from 9.30pm to 2am and we need to have at least two ata time for security reasons. If this issomething anyone feels they could do,on a regular basis do please get in touchwith Jane or Val.

Cathedral Open DayThe open day at Gloucester Cathedralon June 8th has been cancelled due tounforeseen circumstances. If you needinformation on the workings of yourDiocese please talk to Jane or Val.

6

Praise in the ParkSunday 26 June at

10.30amOver the weekend of 25/26 June, YateTown Council puts on a free 2-dayCommunity Music Festival in KingsgatePark. They have invited the ChurchesTogether in Yate and Chipping Sodburyto offer Praise in the Park on theSunday morning of that weekend -Sunday 26 June at 10.30am.At a Ministers Together meeting, it wasfelt that it was really important for all ourchurches to be represented as we hopedthat this service would attract manypeople from across this area - those whoare regular church worshippers andthose who rarely go to church. We oftensay that we need to get out into thecommunity and engage with the localcommunity, take church into the

community and here is an opportunity forus to do that.I have been asked if I will open andclose the act of worship and I'm veryhappy to do this because I think it helpsto raise our Christian profile. At a recentBenefice Churchwardens' meeting, wedecided that in order to support Praise inthe Park we would not run all our usualSunday services - because we hopemany of you will go to Praise in the Park!But we also understand that some of youwon't want to go and we want to cater foryou as well. So it was decided that therewould be a Benefice Common WorshipParish Communion Service at St James',Horton at 11.15am and a Book ofCommon Prayer Evensong at 6pm at StAdeline's, Little Sodbury. There will beNO services at either Chipping Sodburyor Old Sodbury churches on that day. Ifyou would like transport to either Yate orto Horton on that Sunday morning,please would you inform yourChurchwardens and we will makearrangements.

I apologise to those of you who disagreewith this decision. This hasn't been aneasy decision because I don't likecancelling services. But I would like tothink that many of you will be able to, byyour presence, take the church out intothe community and into Kingsgate Parkjust for this one Sunday in the year.

InspiresAn extra Summer issue of inspires willbe available online and by email on 13June. If you would like to receive adigital copy by email please contactKatherine Clamp onkclamp@glosdioc.org.uk. You canreceive 'Outlook' also in electronic formatif you prefer - just send your emailaddress to Stuart on bexon@onetel.com

Thurlestone, South DevonMannings,The Drive, Downs Road

� Self Catering� Pet Friendly� Open All Year� Wonderful Sea Views� Parking for 2 cars� Sleeps 6-10 people� 3 Bedrooms, 2 Futons

01454 313880Call Bob Alcock

bobandsueal@gmail.com

HOLIDAY HOME

7

email:info@funerals.uk.net www.funerals.uk.net

Private Chapels of Rest at Coalpit Heath & Yate

Local Family Cremationand Funeral Directors

118-120 Station Road,YateTel: (01454) 320005 24hr Service

Tel: (01454) 778838 24hr Service192 Badminton Road. Coalpit Heath

F. WOODRUFF

CHIPPING SODBURYFESTIVAL

Chipping Sodbury Festival is just a fewweeks away and there are manyinteresting events for you enjoy.Programmes are out and tickets may bebought from the Tourist InformationCentre or Farrago's, who accept creditcard payment.

Our theme for this year is "40 Years ofServing the Community" an appreciationof the local Lions Club celebrating theirspecial achievement. They continue theirhard work and offer great help andsupport for the festival. We reallyappreciate their Car Treasure Hunt,Street Fayre and Carnival, plus thesupport on "Music in the Street" night.

We hope we have found an interestingand varied programme this year and thatthere is something for all to enjoy.Mendip Male Voice Choir will beperforming on the first Sunday evening,in church. We welcome the group,Tessitoura, who will perform a costumed,shortened version of "The Magic Flute"this is a new venture for us, so hope youwill come and enjoy the lovely music ofMozart and the magic of Papageno.Gyles Brandreth will be appearing thisyear and tickets are selling quickly.The popular favourites, like the HistoricalSlide Show, Quiz Night and "Last Nightof the Proms" are still included.

I am also using this opportunity tomention the Schools Art Exhibition,which is in the church during the week.Please, if anyone has an hour or two tospare, and is willing to sit in the church,would you sign your name on the rota,kept on the table in church. A contacttelephone number would be helpful.

Thank you, the help and support yougive to the Festival is really appreciatedby the committee.

Liz GregsonCommittee Chairman

Saturday 11 June, 2.15 to4.30pm

A Diocesan celebrationof Wholeness and

Healing.

Tewkesbury Abbey.Contact: Sheila Appleton, Convener,

07772 759835

8

W E L C O M E T O T H E M O D A H O U S EWhether you're looking for a relaxing weekend break away, celebrating that

special occasion or perhaps just visiting the area on business we canaccommodate your individual requirements.

� Bed and Breakfast� 11 individually styled rooms� Excellent breakfast using fresh local produce� FREE parking and FREE WiFi� Within easy reach of the M4 and M5� Meeting room

To make a reservation or for more details simply email enquiries@modahouse.co.ukor telephone 01454 312135

1 High Street, Chipping Sodbury, South Glos. BS37 6BA. www.modahouse.co.uk

Baptisms - we welcome into the church:

On Sunday 15 May at St John's,Chipping Sodbury: Harry Gilmour &Charley Anne Wenn

Marriages - we send our congratulationsto:

Gareth Box & Kelly Rae on 9 April at StJohn's, Old SodburyPaul Cheverton & Janine Banks on 16April at St John's, Old Sodbury

Funerals - we extend our sympathy to thefamily and friends of:

Mabel Mason aged 103 on 6 April at StJohn's, Chipping SodburyOn 15 April in St John's, Old Sodburychurchyard, interment of Harcourt WardElsworthy aged 95

Happy at The Heathers.ThePastoralCare Teamwould liketo say a bigthank youto all thosewho joinedthem to

sing Easter Hymns at the HeathersNursing Home, Our efforts were greatlyappreciated by both the residents andstaff. Thank you once again for yoursupport.

9

Wotton-under-Edge

The RoweVeterinary Hospital

Bradley GreenWotton-under-Edge

GloucestershireTel: 01453 843295

Yate

Yate Veterinary Surgery9 Station Road

YateBristol

Tel: 01454 318016Thornbury

Thornbury VeterinarySurgery

3 Pullins GreenThornbury

BristolB35 2AX

Tel: 01454 425478Bradley Stoke

The RoweVeterinary Hospital

Bradley HouseFerndene

Bradley StokeBristol

Tel: 01454 275000

Give a child a "break"

Every year in August Turning Point takesall our primary school-age kids away fora one week holiday packed full ofactivities. The kids leave the slum andthe city behind for one week, staying in aboarding school outside of Nairobi withgreat facilities. The kids have their ownbed, new clothes and three big meals aday for the five-day camp. We do somebible teaching along a theme which thekids discuss further in small groups, thenthe kids are divided into teams andcompete throughout the week indrama's, crafts, games and sports. Thekids particularly enjoy the school'sswimming pool (complete with slide anddiving board!!)

The holiday camps are the highlight ofthe year for everyone at Turning Point,for the kids it is a chance to just be kidsand simply have fun with their friendswhile also exploring their faith and digdeeper into God's word. For the staff it isan opportunity to keep buildingrelationships with the kids, to minister tothem and encourage them.

It costs just £50 to send a child onholiday camp, this covers theiraccommodation, a lot of food, newclothes, shoes, toothbrushes, soap andtowels. If you are interested insponsoring a child to camp then pleasetalk with David Parsons - he has all theforms and information.

Glenfall HouseQuiet Garden Days:

Quiet Garden Days offer the opportunityto spend time in the beautiful gardens atGlenfall House. The Pavilion in theorchard is used as a base for the day,with tea and coffee provided - bring yourown lunch. The day begins with a shortprayer time, and resources for useduring the day are available.June 2nd - July 7th - August 4thwww.glenfallhouse.org/

10

What's happening atGloucester Cathedral

Glorious GloucestershireA celebration in flowers at GloucesterCathedral. A magnificent floral carpet

stretching the full length of the Nave willbe the centrepiece of the display. A

series of special events including talks,demonstrations, music and a glitteringGala Dinner will add to the occasion,

while the superb cloisters will play hostto an exclusive shopping experience

where stalls will be selling plants, craftsand all kinds of garden delights.

For more information seewww.gloucestercathedral.org.uk, contact the Cathedral Office on

01452 528095.

Vanishing Val

As part of her ministry training Val will beway from the Benefice to 'cause chaos'at other churches from 6th June until theend of July. These placements, coupledwith her annual leave, will means thatshe won't be back 'in the saddle' until 1stAugust.

…..on the other hand Jane will be firmly'in the saddle' as can been seen fromthis picture taken by Paparazzi Paul onPalm Sunday.

OrdinationsOn July 2, 15 talented men and womenwill be ordained as priests in the Dioceseof Gloucester. The following day, ninepeople will be ordained deacon. Pleaseremember these people in your prayersat this very special time in their lives.

Tower OpenThe St John's church tower will be open

for visitors on Saturday June 18thbetween 2pm-4.30pm, for a fabulousbirds eye view of Chipping Sodbury

11

UNIT 5, HATTERS LANE,CHIPPING SODBURY,BRISTOL, BS37 6AA

TEL: 01454 311663 or 07 7 33 327 7 92MARTIN RICHINGS MOTOR REPAIRERS LTD .

For the complete service!● Specialist motor repairs ●● Engine diagnostic tuning ●● General servicing & MOT ●

...why pay big garage prices?● Quality pre-owned cars ●...at a budget to suit your pocket

MOTS BY APPOINTMENT

www.martinrichings-carsales.co.uk

Your LocalMOT Centre

UFO's in Old Sodbury?

Walkers on the Cotswold Way sawstrange objects in the sky on April29th and wondered if they were'unidentified flying objects'.

In reality they were, teddies of allshapes and sizes and were beinglaunchedfrom thetower at StJohn's for aparachutecompetitionto see ifthey coulddistract the40 peopleattending tolook to the

skies and not the Royal wedding -and have some fun!

All ages attended and this longlegged teddy was considered to beone of the stars of the show.

12

The Barber Shop

Roger Franklin07855 887671

83 Broad StreetChipping Sodbury

BristolBS37 6AD

Opening HoursMonday-Friday: 9:30 am-5:00pmSaturday: 9:00am-3:00pm

Paul Franklin07772 789210

Summer FayreDonkey Rides

You sawthem at thePalmSundayparade nowyourchildren cantake a

donkey ride at the summer fete onSaturday July 2nd, 12 - 4pm at StJohn's Mead School. Rumour has it thatthree donkeys will appear so there willbe lots to see. Our church will berunning stalls so there will be much tobuy for all ages - a really great day out.

St John's given the'elbow'.

Elbow columnsare a way ofsupportingshafts inventedin crusaderchurches in theHoly Landabout 1130.Perhaps after Jerusalem was lost in1187, they were introduced into Europe,particularly Normandy in places likeBayeux and Coutances Cathedrals,where a sort of 'mouse-tail' versionappears. See them at St John's in theoriginal and also the mouse-tail versionon either side of the chancel arch and,mouse-tail only, on the pier in thechancel arcade. The only other place Ihave seen them in England is at NewShoreham. They may be odd, but theyare attractive - and rare. Gerald Randall.North Walsham, Norfolk

13

For a lovely selection ofcards for

every occasion

Two floors of quality cards & gifts54 Broad Street, Chipping Sodbury

Tel 01454 273999

Cards • Giftwrap • Balloons

SodburyCards

Lunch with our Rector:(and Richard)

Sunday lunch atthe vicarage is onJuly 3rd and againon Sunday 31stJuly. All are verywelcome and allyou need to bring issomething to share,some food, drinkand yourself - anda chair would also

be handy but you don't have to sharethis!. Starts at 12.45 after church.

Find your head forheights withChristian Aid

Christian Aid islooking foradventuroussupporters toabseil down StBarnabas Church

in Gloucester on Wednesday 15 June.Those brave enough to meet thechallenge will be raising money to helperadicate poverty in some of the world'spoorest countries. For more informationplease email Helen Burgess athburgess@christian-aid.org or call01395 222308. To secure your place,register online NOW athttp://www.christianaid.org.uk/abseil

Lynn Edwards MA, MCIEH, MCIH

Domestic Energy AssessorTel: 07973 166 692or 01454 323 340

Email: office@lenergy-assessor.co.uk

Energy Performance Certificates for:

Sales,

Rental & Holiday Lets,

Floor Plans

14

MSc(Eng), CEng, MICE, ACILAMSc(Eng), CEng, MICE, ACILAChartered Civil EngineerChartered Civil Engineer

& Chartered Loss Adjuster& Chartered Loss Adjuster

DomesticDomestic StructuralStructural EngineerEngineer

� Steelwork & timber design.� Structural surveys.� Subsidence specialist.� Foundation problems.� Project management.The Vicarage, Horse Shoe Lane,

Chipping Sodbury, Bristol BS37 6ET

Telephone: 01454 324888E-mail: richard@kenchington.plus.com

Richard KenchingtonRichard Kenchington

DOGSWelcome

To Browse

James WellbelovedBurns

Royal CaninAll Dog Foods, Treats & Toys

Pamper Your Dog

THE DOG SHOP45 Rounceval StreetChipping Sodbury

Cash for KiberaA big thank you to all those who

generously supported my coffee morningrecently. A cheque for £285 has beensent to The Turning Point Trust to helpsupport their Bible Holiday Club. The

people who were able to come said thatthey enjoyed themselves and I enjoyed

having them here.

Thanks. Ann

Sunday Activities forChildren & Young

People

All Sunday morning activities start withBreakfast for all ages at 9.00am

in the Church Centre

DINKY DINERS Ages 2-5Crafts are available in the Children'scorner of the Church on 2nd & 4th

Sundays

BREAKFAST CLUB Ages5-11 (Y1-Y6)

Songs, stories and crafts in the ChurchCentre or joining in a child friendly

service in the Church

BRUNCH (Y7-Y13)Brunch meets after the morning service

(11am-12.15) upstairs in the ChurchCentre with hot chocolate & cake.

15

Sodbury Vale Benefice Calendar June 2011

16