May 2002 - Parish News


ST ANDREWS CHURCH

ANNUAL WALK IN INNER LONDON
April 20th 2002 The day arrived and, much to our delight the sun was shining. Our first Church was to be the Lighthouse Methodist Church in Walthamstow so we left Slip End, in convoy and arrived there just after 9.30a.m. We certainly did not expect to find a lighthouse in inner London but there it was with its light shining bright.
The Church itself is up-stairs and very unusual with tiered wooden seating in a semi-circle design. The Church was re-furbished in 1979 and now has a strong congregation and several youth groups who make good use of the premises. Here, we met up with David & Mary Bolster and their dog Tom, a large Dalmatian who has adopted them!
We passed some very derelict areas, run down and needing much improvement and walked onto the next Church in Leyton. We had been given a quiz to keep us occupied, which was very entertaining and for those who participated, it provided an insight to places you might have missed! Everywhere we walked we noticed the huge amounts of rubbish piled up on the streets, the parks and rare open spaces that you suddenly come across.

Below:- Alan & Steve counting the people in this mural
The congregations and ministry teams from the churches were out in force to welcome all the walkers and make sure
they were on hand to answer any questions. From Leyton we travelled on to Hackney and Upper Clapton and finally stopped for some lunch at Stoke Newington. All the churches involved made sure there were refreshments available - some provided drinks and biscuits whilst others made sure that there was a large selection of different foods to choose from. (it certainly saved the bother of carrying your lunch around).
Children outside the church in Upper Clapton

We had an interesting time in Abney Park Cemetery, a large old dilapidated place but full of character. Apparently Isaac Newton spent many hours contemplating there. We noticed the many Hasidic Jews around Hackney, out for a stroll, or spending time with their families, as Saturday is their Sabbath Day and they do not work on the Sabbath, unlike other religions.

Suddenly we found ourselves in a beautiful, tranquil spot by the River Lea. We came across a marina, with boats and barges, people picnicing and swans and ducks floating by, which made a sharp contrast to some of the areas we had just seen. At Coppermill Lane approaching Walthamstow we passed the filter beds from the marshlands and were bombarded with hundreds and thousands of flies - we moved very quickly on, needless to say. We had met many people that day, all out to see the problems that the people living in the inner city of London face. The walk is organised by the charity Unlock. It is a Christian organisation formed thirty years ago and it exists to help churches in the inner city and outer housing estates. For further information you can contact them on 01142762038 & office@unlock.force9.co.uk
Despite the aching feet and legs I think I can say, that a good day was had by all.
Sue Cowell



SLIP END LOWER SCHOOL
On Wednesday 21st March 2002 there was a 'Celebration of Music' at the school. The whole school, including the Staff, took part and visitors included former members of Staff, Parents, Grandparents and Governors.
The Headteacher, Ms C Fisher, explained in the programme that Parents are often invited to concerts that have been planned and rehearsed by pupils for particular occasion such as Christmas and End of Term Assembly. The Headteacher went on to say that this concert was to celebrate the music which goes on in school every day and was about the enjoyment of music by the children.
During the concert the choir, violins and recorders demonstrated the areas they had recently been working on and played several pieces.
The extensive programme also included performances by each year group.
The Foundation Unit performed Prehistoric Animal Brigade; Year 1 sang Bananas in Pyjamas; Year 2 performed a musical composition entitled Train Journey; Year 3 sang I've been to Harlem and Year 4 presented a Viking Song.
In the school, pupils are encouraged to demonstrate and discuss their outside interests and hobbies with everyone in school. Three pupils, who had done that, played solo pieces. Hanna Whittaker played Silent Night on the keyboard, Natalie Adams performed Twinkle Twinkle on the Penny Whistle and Sebastian Prothero played Serenade on Guitar.
Members of Staff played Music of the Night as a Clarinet duet and all the Staff came together to perform Memory from Cats. Ms Fisher noted in the programme notes that the pieces performed by the Staff were included as a bit of fun to demonstrate to the pupils that they are not asked to do anything that the Teachers would not try for themselves.
At the end of the concert the prize for the best Decorated Easter Plate was presented to Jack Woods.
Hot Cross buns and refreshments were served by the PTA.
Paddy Higgens


ALEY GREEN METHODIST CHURCH
Dates for your Diary

Saturday May 18th 9 a.m.

We are having a cake & preserve stall outside the Co-op Stores in Caddington for the National Childrens Homes. NCH was founded in 1869 and through 430 projects makes a difference to the lives of 77,000 children, young people and their families.

Come along and treat yourself to a cake or two and help a child in need.
Saturday 25th May, 2.00p.m.
We will be having a preserve stall at the Baptist Church, Caddington table top sale. Come along and have a look around.

When life seems difficult and the road ahead is steep, remember God didn't make the earth flat and it is more interesting and beautiful because of that.

Yours in faith. Ann Meader and all at Aley Green Methodist Church.


WOMENS INSTITUTE

We started the meeting silently remembering 'our' Ann. Our thoughts and prayers are with her husband Derek and son's Alan and Paul.
The speaker Mrs Dineen took us on a tour of Bedfordshire with recipes from the past in different villages. All the oddments were eaten before Lent. Ash Wednesday was the day for doughnuts which were small, against present day ones, and these were cooked in lard. Mothering Sunday, daughters made their mothers a Simnel Cake. Flitwick Manor Simnels were like Eccles cakes we eat today to look at. The recipe was flour, cream and saffron for the pastry. The fillings were currants, sugar and lemon peel cut very finely and soaked in red wine. Palm Sunday was Fig Sunday, the first Sunday in July was Pie Sunday when you ate Gooseberry Pudding. In season Baked Pears were sold as Baked Wardens. The lace makers of Beds had St Katherines and St Andrews day off work and would eat Boiled Rabbit with 'Frumity', mixed porridge, rice and tapioca and 'Wigs' which were Caraway Buns. Methoglin with spiced mead was the drink. Houghton Regis recipe, flour , sugar, caraway seeds to taste, 6 eggs minus 2 whites, 1and ½ pints good ale yeast, 1 and 1/2lb melted butter in warm milk. Make into a lumber paste. Put to rise before fire for half hour. Bake on parchment.
On Dunstable Downs in 1904, men with nets caught vast numbers of larks, 300-400 nightly, to send to London Hotels. 50,000 were sent annually! In the 19th century Anna, Duchess of Beddford came up with the idea of afternoon tea. A lady after my own heart.
We were then invited to sample results of some of the recipes which included a bacon and onion dumpling. This wasn't a famous Beds Clanger and the sweet half was absent but it was all very tasty.
The social time had us guessing the flavour of different dips. Yes I did take a snap of people's expressions, I couldn't resist it! It's funny jam wasn't mentioned at all.
New Venue
As from June we will be meeting - 3rd Tuesday in the month at the Hall in Caddington Baptist Church.
From 7.30 - 10.00p.m.
Patricia Crick


Next Page