Older NEWS 2 (Sort of!)
Bob Sumner of Holwell
Reggie Heyworth writes:
"Bob, one of the great characters of Bradwell Grove Estate and Holwell, died, aged 90, on 28th July. Bob and his wife, Josephine, arrived in 1960, when he became head gamekeeper, and Bob made Bradwell Grove into one of the great local English Partridge and pheasant shoots.
"Unlike many modern gamekeepers, Bob was also a great supporter of the local fox hunts, and a special meet of the VWH Hunt took place on 4th January 2020 at Bradwell Grove, to celebrate Bob’s 90th birthday. Bob was an inspiring presence on the Estate, and will be greatly missed."
The full obituary is in the September 2020 issue of Parish Pump. Click on 'Read Parish Pump' above
Photograph: Daniel Hague
31st August 2020
The way things are elsewhere...
From The Times of Saturday 29th August 2020:
Round the corner at St Margaret's Church in Warnham the priest in charge, the Rev Jules Barnes, 60, is taking her turn to clean the pews. That's part of the new post-lockdown life for the church.
The pews are still decorated with white bows from a recent wedding. "The good thing is that people are mainly able to rejoice in what they have, which is what I think we all need to do."
There has been, she says, a greater appreciation of the role of the church, even among non-believers.
"People who would never darken the door of the church have just felt this need. I don't know what it is, a deep existential need. We are always here for everyone in the parish, not just those who worship"
St Margaret's Church, Warnham, Sussex
29th August 2020
St Peter's Church, Filkins
During August, Robert Courts, local MP for Witney and West Oxfordshire, came to see the much-loved St Peter's Church in Filkins.
Here, Trish Poole explains the procedure to be followed by visitors based on a risk assessment in accordance with Government guidelines.
The two churches in the parish of Broughton Poggs with Filkins have been open daily to visitors for private prayer and contemplation since mid June.
Robert was very pleased to see the church re-opened, and admired the work done by the churchwardens, members of the PCC and others to achieve this, especially with two churches to look after in a small parish! It can be a great comfort to visit a beautiful church and pray, or just sit in peaceful contemplation, during this difficult time.
He is a keen historian, and was very interested to learn more about George Edmund Street, and his time as diocesan architect during the mid 19th century, a time of huge and constructive activity by the church throughout the Oxford Diocese and beyond.
27th August 2020
The Filkins Produce Show
Saturday 22nd August 2020
At first the word was that there might be no show in 2020, but naturally the Pesky Pandemic could not hold back Filkins...
The Filkins Produce Show must go on. And so it did, in magnificent style on the Fox Trust Paddock in a series of marquees and gazebos.
Congrats to Jane Martin, Diane Blackett, Arlene Moody (who took the photographs) and all the other helpers (not forgetting St Filica who supplied the tents and the tent-erecters)...
And of course congrats also to all the entrants for all their wonderful entries.
A great example of what can be done if there is a will... Well done, all, and see you in 2021.
Have a look at the Gallery below...
(There are 12 pictures: use the arrows, or click on a small picture underneath.)
22th August 2020
The Rumour
Or, sometimes everything works out fine!
Twas maybe Tommy Nugent or,
I’ve also heard, maybe ‘The Prof’
Who first tells Pete who then tells Ken:
“The village Produce Show is off!”
But, anyway, whoever ‘twas
The word goes round like whooping cough,
And pretty soon the whole world knows…
“The village Produce Show is off!”
Old Maisie tells her friend the cook,
And soon her boss, the London toff
Who bought the Hall, has heard it too:
“The village Produce Show is off!”
From early tipplers at the bar
To diners sitting at their scoff…
All conversation sounds the same:
“The village Produce Show is off!”
From children playing in the street,
to piglets scrabbling at their trough,
And starlings chattering at dusk
“The village Produce Show is off!”
At last a doubter thinks to ask
The organisers. Whereupon
They smile and say “do not despair:
The village Produce Show is on!”
And so it was, and so it was!
They will be back!
Happier times in 2018 at the Little Faringdon Lunch.
The good times will come again... They will, they will!
20th August 2020
Lockdown Blues!
You know Lockdown's getting to you when you take a photograph of a sunset...
... And when you look at it, all you see is a dog (on the right) biting lumps out of a parrot (on the left.)
12th August 2020
Now here's an idea...
... that might usefully occur to a priest in the pulpit about to unpack yet another anecdote:
A glance at the sermon sand-timer!
(I'm told there used to be one in Alvescot before the great refurbishment in the 1870s... More anon on this.)
8th August 2020
What a sunset this evening!
7th August 2020
Is it a bird?
Is it an ANGEL?
Trish Poole, one of the two churchwardens in Broughton Poggs with Filkins, went down to St Peter's Church in Filkins yesterday evening to lock up.
And there in the sky was this wonderful concatenation of condensation trails... Whether a giant bird, or a cross, or an angel...
Let us take it as a sign of approval that, at this troubled Time of Corona, both our parish churches are open daily for private prayer and contemplation.
4th August 2020
3rd August 2020
Ancient mysteries in The Land of the Twelve Churches...
“When all the details fit in perfectly, something is probably wrong with the story.” Charles Baxter
The Philosopher's Lovesong
Existential theory states:
You and I can be good mates,
Shaking hands or swapping juices
(depends how tight our bond, or loose, is.)
And although we’re all related
In blood, or love, or friendship sated
Simply by a friendly nod,
We are also on our tod.
Individual agents all...
Invited to life’s Summer Ball,
To follow through a battle plan,
Or muddle through as best we can.
So, whichever path I choose,
I am the artist and my muse.
I am the pilgrim and my saint...
... Half a mo though, no I ain’t!
I might be free to cock things up
(Or strive to win, and lift the cup),
But I need you as you need me.
So... Let’s combine, and call it... ‘We!’
2nd August 2020
THE Gardener!
Those who know FILKINS & BROUGHTON POGGS will also know how well Chris Maunder looked after the village for so long.
So we are all pleased to see that, as Chris enjoys his well-earned retirement, the excellent LES GOWARD has picked up the village spade...
Les is also keen to work for others too, so do give him a ring or email:
1st August 2020
Ride & Stride is back!
Charlotte Ashby writes from Filkins:
"We are delighted that the 2020 Ride & Stride event has been given the green light! Last year walkers, cyclists and horse riders raised an incredible £112,000 towards the upkeep of our beautiful Oxfordshire churches.
"On Saturday September 12th 10am-6pm, participants will visit hundreds of churches across Oxfordshire. Taking part is easy, fun and as laid back or energetic as you wish."
"There are shorter family friendly cycle loops taking in some of our local benefice churches, all dotted with pubs to keep you hydrated. For the more adventurous there are literally hundreds of participating churches right across the county."
Every parish has a representative who will be delighted to sign you up. And the great thing is that half your sponsorship money will come straight tosupport the maintenance and repair of your local church.
Email editor@parishpump.net for the Ride & Stride contact in your parish.
Come on, dust off the bike!
And get pedalling for your local church
31st July 2020
Busy bees...
Francis Barber's reclamation yard is a wonderful place to visit... So many things you didn't realise you needed, but once you see them, you know you can't live without!
And, out the back in the field, is this (literally) hive of activity. And I can vouch for the honey being excellent.
(You'll find Francis Barber's yard opposite St George's Church in Kelmscott.)
29th July 2020
Impressive? That's the way to do it!
The local Roman Catholics show the way... St Joseph's Church in Carterton is very much back in business after the Covid lockdown, with five (yes, five!) services every week:
Saturday at 6pm
Sunday at 9 and 10.15 am
Tuesday at 6.30pm
Thursday at 6.30pm
See HERE for details
Well done to the Roman Catholics
27th July 2020
Traditional English elm pews
26th July 2020
It's a curious world right now
Did we always get things right in the past? Of course not. Do we get things right now? Some clearly think they are virtuous enough to regulate the past.
But who is to know what, in a hundred years time, people will despise about us? Will they tear down statues of our current heroes because they believe in God, or eat meat, or wear socks? Who knows?
At a time when even those who might urge a more considered view (like Archbishops and professors), seem eager to climb onboard any passing bandwagon, let us remember that, as ever, those who seek to dictate our future will first destroy our past.
You can't keep a good gardener down...
25th July 2020
Avril Payne writes from Filkins: 'Sadly, for the first time in many years the stalwart group of gardeners who share the results of their labours with visitors from the National Garden Scheme were unable to open this year. But to make up for it, and with some help from the NGS Head Office, and masterminded by Chris Carter, you can still take a 'virtual' trip round all the gardens...' (Courtesy of 'St Filica News')
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Happy Birthday Prince George
Seven today
22nd July 2020
Broughton Poggs and
Filkins churches are both open daily for private prayer and contemplation.
All are welcome.
Why go in a church?
21st July 2020
If you need a reason to go into a church, will this do?
I love the village parish church
the humble graves and rhyming verses
to those who made it what it is
and haunt its precincts still:
the printed list of incumbents
beginning in the fourteenth century,
the unlatched door and polished brass,
and hassocks buttoned red and square.
the hymnals piled in tidy rows.
I love the gentle kind of quiet
which filters through the pale green light
distilled by glass in traceried windows,
the Norman carving round the font,
the rood screen of a later date;
the sense of always Being There...
(From a Poem by Joan Edwards)
Sign of the Time
Is this 'The New Normal' for street litter?
Woodstock, this afternoon
20th July 2020
Cotswold
18th July 2020
Sometimes the ghosts forgotten go
Along the hill-top way,
And with long scythes of silver mow
Meadows of moonlit hay,
Until the cocks of Cotswold crow
The coming of the day...
From'The Cotswold Farmers', by John Drinkwater
Photograph by Giles Edwards, Langford
16th July 2020
The AUGUST issue of Parish Pump
In August's PARISH PUMP: A further discussion about 'The Reality of God'... This month from the sceptics.
Terrific 'Lockdown Photographs' from our Land of The Twelve Churches from Giles Edwards in Langford
Advance news of a local Bat Survey in Holwell from Kaylee Parkes
Plus all the usual news and views... and I happen to look through the list of 34 correspondents this month. So thank you to:
Angela, Ann, Barbara, Chris, Chrissy, David, Elizabeth, George, Giles, Gill, Jackie, James, Janet, Jayne, Jean, Karen, Karen, Kaylee, Kim, Laura, Matthew, Melanie, Moray, Nick, Paul, Richard, Rob, Rupert, Sam, Sarah, Sheila, Tess, Tommy, and Trish.
August's issue of Parish Pump will be available online and in paper copy before end July.
Ding Dong! The Bell in Langford
The Bell has performed sterling service during lockdown, as shop and takeaway... And friendly face at the window.
In fact, 'small trade' has proved its worth, and kept going in our villages when others have wilted.
Thank you to all at the Bell, and the very best of luck to you, now you have re-opened.
01367 860249
Terrific photograph by Giles Edwards... See more in August's Parish Pump, out end July.
14th July 2020
"We followed the Government Guidelines (published on 12th June), did the risk assessment, printed out the necessary signage, placed the sanitizer etc, worked out a cleaning schedule... Opened the church, and now follow the schedule, and daily monitor the situation."
Yes, it is possible safely to re-open a church...
St Peter's Filkins, and St Peter's Broughton Poggs re-opened on Sunday 14th June, and are open every day for private prayer and contemplation.
Everyone is welcome to visit either church.
10th July 2020
If you would like further information, please contact the two churchwardens in Broughton Poggs with Filkins: