Check that Caller

Dunstable Police are urging everyone - especially pensioners to be on the alert following a spate of distraction burglaries in the area. There has been an increase in the number of incidents across the Central division during the last few weeks with offenders using a variety of techniques to con their way into the homes of their victims.
The tricksters, some of whom are well dressed with shiny shoes, have posed as everything from water officials to social services workers. On a few occasions they have capitalized on the age of their victims and pushed their way in.
Crime reduction officers are urging HomeWatch members to keep an eye out for their elderly neighbours and to report anyone they think is suspicious to the police.
When answering the door to any unexpected caller please follow this advice:

If in doubt call for confirmation on:-

Gas   0800 393499
Electricity   0800 374293
Water   0845 7145145
BT   0800 321999
N.T.L.   0800 052 200
Police   01582 471212 (South Beds)
01234 841212 (Mid Beds)
Trading Standards   01234 228280

WE ARE SURVIVORS

(For those born Before 1940)

We were born before television, before penicillin, polio shots, frozen foods, Xerox, contact lenses, videos and the pill. We were before radar, credit cards, split atoms, laser beams and ballpoint pens, before dish-washers, tumble driers, electric blankets, air conditioners, drip-dry clothes…and before man walked on the moon.

We got married first and then lived together (how quaint can you be?). We thought 'fast food' was what you ate in Lent, a 'Big Mac' was an oversized raincoat and 'crumpet' we had for tea. We existed before house husbands, computer dating and 'sheltered accommodation' was where you waited for a bus.

We were before day care centres, group homes and disposable nappies. We never heard of FM radio, tape decks, artificial hearts, word processors, or young men wearing earrings. For us 'time sharing' meant togetherness, a 'chip' was a piece of wood or fried potato, 'hardware' meant nuts and bolts and 'software' wasn't a word.

Before 1940 'Made in Japan' meant junk, the term 'making out' referred to how you did in your exams, 'stud' was something that fastened a collar to a shirt and 'going all the way' meant staying on a double-decker bus to the terminus. In our day, cigarette smoking was 'fashionable', 'grass' was mown, 'coke' was kept in the coalhouse, a 'joint' was a piece of meat you ate on Sundays and 'pot' was something you cooked in. 'Rock Music' was a fond mother's lullaby, 'Eldorado' was an ice-cream, a 'gay person' was the life and soul of the party, while 'aids' just meant beauty treatment or help for someone in trouble.

We who were born before 1940 must be a hardy bunch when you think of the way in which the world has changed and the adjustments we have had to make. No wonder there is a generation gap today… BUT

By the grace of God……..
we have survived!

(A LITTLE ARTICLE GIVEN TO ME RECENTLY WHICH I THOUGHT SOME OF YOU MIGHT ENJOY)

THE UNLOCK LONDON SPONSORED WALK NO 20
Unlock is a Christian Charity that has been around for over 30 years. It exists to help churches in inner city and housing estate areas respond to the challenges that they face in their areas. The yearly sponsored walk is an opportunity to see first-hand the potential (and the problems) of a number of urban churches. Members of each church visited are encouraged to welcome walkers and provide a fact sheet on their church.
This year, to celebrate twenty walks a route has been planned around Brixton and Camberwell. As is often the case in cities, these two places are very different although they share similar features. Housing is a major feature and many different residences are packed into a couple of square miles. There are seven different churches to visit along the route and if anyone is interested, the details are on display at St Andrews Church and if you decide to go it is a lovely and interesting day out. A group will be going from there and this year have decided to try and get some sponsors, so if anyone would like to contribute towards this very worthy cause please contact Mary Barker at St Andrews.

Wisdom is a rare gift, but a few have been endowed with it. Here are some choice sayings from the hearts and minds of the wise.
True wealth
A man's true wealth is the amount of good he does in this world.

Wealth buys leisure but not wisdom.
Hopeful sayings
What looks dark in the distance may brighten as you draw near.

All things are what you make them.

No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of it for anyone else.

The most wonderful thing about miracles is that they sometimes happen.
Loving kindness

Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.
A kind work to a man when he is struggling is worth more than a million congratulations when he succeeds.

Take time to show appreciation. Thanks is the frosting on the cake of life.

It's nice to be important, but much more important to be nice.
and finally... Sharing multiplies the joy.

PLANTS FOR SALE - 9 CRAWLEY CLOSE, SLIP END

Now Spring has arrived and it is time to get into the garden - come along
at 9 Crawley Close, Slip End and have a look at the plants for sale, at the
moment on sale - Mixed primulas at 48p each, Mixed pansies at 25p each plus
many other plants - For your Easter Spring Baskets - orders now being
taken - Enquiries Tel 01582 411573 Hilary Macdonald

HARPENDEN COUNTRY MARKET
Thursday 17th April 9am - 11.30am

On sale - Simnel cakes plus novelty cakes.
Hand-made Easter cards and candles on the craft stall plus Easter Spring flower arrangements and baskets.
Spring bulbs and plants for sale.
Next to WH Smith's in the Methodist Church hall in Harpenden High Street.

The market at other times is open every Friday 9am - 11.30am

Calling all societies, clubs, groups and local councils -

Sorry, no news this month from Slip End Parish Council, playgroup, cub scouts, sports groups.

Don't forget the Parish News is printed for all of you and a good way to tell the Village what your group has been up to.

Items can be e-mailed or sent on a floppy disc or mailed (preferably typed if possible)
Get your news in around the middle of the month. If you would like to put a photo in that can be e-mailed or sent to be scanned.

DON'T FORGET TO CHOOSE YOUR FAVOURITE HYMN.

EDITORS CHOICE
Parish News subs are almost due and there will be a committee meeting during the next month to discuss them. We have remained at the same price for many years now and all the work is done by volunteers including the good folk that deliver the news to you. We would like to be able to produce more colour front covers for our readers and develop our knowledge further to make the monthly issues better for our readers but we cannot do that without your help.
If there are any readers who have any suggestions regarding the Parish News format please do not hesitate to contact us and we will do our best to oblige.

finally……
With a thought to all our service-men fighting in the Iraq war and praying they will come home safely - a short prayer of peace.

Peace

Do not look forward to what might happen tomorrow; The same everlasting Father who cares for you today, will take care of you tomorrow and every day.
Either he will shield you from suffering, or he will give you strength to bear it.
Be at peace then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations.

Have you Thought

Have you thought on life
And wondered what it means

Have you watched a small child playing,
Have you wondered what he dreams?

And have you looked most closely at the small things in the world,
And studied most intently as the smallest leaf unfurls

Have you wondered at the landscape
which Mother Nature plans?
And gazed acress the ocean, the many miles it spans?

Have you seen the way the seasons change,
All the paterns in a snowflake,
And followed with your eyes the insects
swimming in the lake?

Life force is here in everything,
Each living thing enchanted.
I wonder why it is, then, that we
Take it so for granted.

Easter

Smoothly flow the waters by
The grassy patch on which I lie.
Gently wave the blossom trees,
Glowing with the sunlit breeze.

Sweetly sing the birds above,
Song of joy and song of love;
Gentl nods the daffodil,
While primrose on its bank do spill.

'Tis Easter and we look toward
the promise sent from our Dear Lord .

(some poems from Sue Whittaker- Hope you
enjoyed them - Sue Cowell Editor)

Village Diary

Our pages are also published on www.slipend.co.uk , reaching a far wider community
than our local area. If you have not been on line yet, take a look; as well as local news
there are bulletin boards, forums, pictures and other items, all of local interest.
PLEASE NOTE - ALL CONTRIBUTORS
Articles for the May issue of Parish News should be passed, by 15th April
or earlier please, to : SueCowell@Caddington18.fsnet.co.uk.
Parish News distribution queries? Please contact Brian Church

Anonymous material will not be published, however names may be withheld on request.
Parish News reserves editorial rights.

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