September Parish News


ST ANDREWS CHURCH

Services & events for February
Sun 2 10.00am Family Service
11-00am Informal Communion
Sun 9 10.30am Morning Praise
6.00pm Youth Communion @ Holy Trinity
Wed 12 10.30am Pram Service
Sun 16 10.30am Holy Communion
Sun 23 10.30am Morning Praise
Wed 26 10.30am Pram Service
“ 2.30pm Woodside Home

Saturday 1st Feb CELEBRATION OF CHRISTIAN HEALING.
10-30am in St Albans Abbey
Teaching, Testimony and Worship in the context of Holy Communion
Prayer ministry is on offer for physical, emotional or spiritual needs.
This year’s speaker is Peter Horrobin, international director of Ellel Ministries.


OPEN MEETING ON ANGLICAN--METHODIST COVENANT.
Wednesday 12th Feb @ 7-45pm
Dunstable Methodist Church, The Square
Presentation by Revd Tony Sellars


MASSED HARPS
A concert in St Andrews Church at 3.00pm – Should be a great afternoon.
on Sunday 23rd Feb, Tickets £4-50 inclusive of refreshments

Tickets obtainable from: Slip End Post Office, The Frog and Rhubarb or phone 458443 or 416138


MOTHERS UNION - PROGRAMME

The February meeting will be on 4th March at 8.00pm at Sue Taylerson’s house. The theme will be ‘Pancakes and Comedy’.
On March 26th we will be meeting the Diocesan President in the Family Room at St Andrew’s at 8.00pm
April is yet to be announced but on May 10th we will be having a visit to London (more details nearer the time)
The committee organising the St Andrew’s branch meets monthly to decide the activities and plan the programme. If you have a special request or idea please speak to any of the committee.


ALEY GREEN CHURCH
Accept each day as a gift, a joy. Don't get up too late! Look in the mirror and grin at yourself. Say "Good Morning" to yourself to get in practice for when you Need to say it to others.
Thank you, you to everyone who came to our church services over Christmas. It was good to welcome new faces
The children's Christmas praise party service was very well supported and enjoyed by all ages. A collection was taken and £54 for Keech cottage. Barbara and Geff Harton did a marvellous job of the flowers and candles for our carol service. The collection raised £84.23 for national children's homes.
Our Christmas day service was a lively one, with lots of families. The collection raised £63.43 for the Pasque Hospice. A Christmas card and raffle raised £68 for N.O.A.H. A big thank you to every one whom gave so generously.
Our Sunday school welcomed 3 new teachers and 1 new child in January. They are all of to the Robinson Crusoe pantomime on Feb I".
The church improvements are still continuing; the new carpet in the church has been laid. We have four new double glazed windows in the upper schoolroom and the walls have been re-plastered. Thank you to our property steward Lorraine Law.
Dates for your diary
March 28'", 29" and 30th flower festival.
If you feel you would like to do an arrangement or pay for one to be done ring Barbara on 737647
May 17" 2.30pm - Good as new sale

The Remedy
Seek nature's cure for all your ills
By dreamy vales and windswept hills
Or lie beside a sparkling sea
And find her secret remedy.
by Patience Strong

With love and prayers from all at Aley Green Methodist Church.
Ann Meader


NEWS FROM THE DIOCESE
IRAQ. The moral case has not been made for a pre-emptive war against Iraq,
says the Bishop of St Albans, the Rt Revd Christopher Herbert, and he sees
no justification "for the West to rain down bombs" on the Middle Eastern
nation. Writing in the diocesan magazine, SeeRound, the Bishop says: "The
threat of de-stabilisation in the entire region, and the threat that more and
more terrorist attacks would follow, should not be underestimated."

NEW ARCHDEACON.
Getting to know people and the parishes are the priorities
for Helen Cunliffe, who becomes the new Archdeacon of St Albans on Saturday
January 11th. She said: "My background is in pastoring and as a parish
priest, and I would hope that it is these abilities that I can bring to the
role." Helen, formerly Residentiary Canon of Southwark Cathedral, succeeds
Richard Cheetham, who is now Bishop of Kingston.

PRAYER DAY.
Information about more than 30 workshops on prayer to be held on Saturday May 10th, when St Albans Abbey hosts a major 'Exploring Prayer Day' organised by Diocesan Initiatives in Spirituality, is now available on
http://www.stalbans.anglican.org Copies of a booklet detailing the work-shops, including booking forms, have been distributed to parishes.

SLEEP OUT SUCCESS.
More than 280 people braved the cold to sleep out
overnight in the grounds of St Albans Abbey and raise more than £12,000 for
Open Door, the city's centre for single homeless people. It was the biggest
turnout in the event's eight-year history. The 'rough sleepers' in December
included many young people from churches, schools and youth groups across the diocese.

PAYROLL GIVING.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced that the 10
per cent supplement on payroll giving will be extended for a further year to
April 5th 2004. Please direct any questions to Nigel Guard, Stewardship
Development Officer on 01727 854532 or nguard@stalbans.anglican.org

SEEROUND.
In the February issue of St Albans diocese's magazine: the full
text of the Bishop's letter about Iraq; a profile of the Chaplain at
London-Luton Airport; a chance to win a book for Lent; the Barnet
physiotherapist heading for Africa; a Beds curate who had his head shaved
for charity; the Herts churches encouraging reconciliation in Rwanda; more information about the e-Round items; courses and conferences; and lots of news of parish events and activities.

Peter Crumpler Communications Officer
Diocese of St. Albans,
Tel: 01727 869506; Fax 01727 844469


SLIP END LOWER SCHOOL
December is a busy month in a Lower School planning, preparing and rehearsing for the Christmas production.
The production at Christmas was ‘Off to Bethlehem’ and tells the story of the birth of Christ in music and song.
The whole school was involved in the performance with some solos and duets. There was also a clarinet duet played by members of staff.
Each year group performed one song with the whole school joining together for other songs. Your correspondent’s favourite song was ‘Let all the people rejoice’ which was the final song of the production and sung by the whole school.
There were three performances on the 11th/12th December; the first for elderly residents of the village and the final two for Parents, Grandparents and Governors.
At the beginning of December the school held a Christmas Activity Day. This involved the children making or baking decorations. Everyone enjoyed the day.
On Saturday 7th December, Father Christmas did attend the Fayre held in the School Hall. The Fayre was very successful and we are grateful for the support given to the school by the ‘Friends of Slip End Lower School’


SLIP END TODDLER GROUP

We are pleased to announce that due to a new committee the Slip End Toddler Group will remain open.
New members are always welcome to the group, which takes place every Tuesday during term time from 1.30 - 3pm at Slip End village hall, situated on the corner of Grove Road and B4540 Markyate Road.
For more information contact Mandy on 01582 840526, Natalie on 01582 730130 or Paula on 01582 650552.


VILLAGE OPEN GARDENS
The July 2002 Open Gardens and Hanging Basket Competition both proved to be great successes. The Hanging Basket Competition produced a variety of very pretty, colourful baskets and several with a topical jubilee theme.
Saturday 13th July was the “Open Gardens Day”. It was a glorious day, the sun shone and people had the opportunity to visit, admire and discuss all sorts of different and interesting gardens. Various refreshments were provided at individual gardens, BBQ, cream teas, hot or cold drinks, and cakes and biscuits.
It was lovely to meet people with similar interest in gardening also others from both within the village and surrounding areas who came along. Profits from refreshments and donations raised approximately £600, with the Gardeners Benevolent Society and Keech Cottage benefiting.
Due to the success of both events and increased interest, it has been decided that
in view of the amount of “behind the scenes work involved” the Open Gardens
Day and Hanging Basket Competition would become biennial events. (Next being July 2004)

It is hoped to arrange a Charity Plant & Produce sale in alternate years.
See separate entry following

CHARITY PLANT & PRODUCE SALE
It is intended to arrange a Charity Plant & Produce Sale centrally within the village late spring / early summer. All profits will go to Keech Cottage, part of the Pasque Hospice, for Children. Donations of any plants/cuttings would be greatly appreciated at the time of sale.
WATCH THIS SPACE FOR FUTURE DETAILS


SLIP END PARISH COUNCIL.
I hope February finds you all well and like me, longing for Spring. Not a lot to report this month so I will crack on.

CRIME FIGURES FOR DECEMBER 02
1 Burglary and 1 Theft from Motor Vehicle. That doesn't sound a lot does it? They are the only REPORTED crimes, so., if you are the victim of a crime, no matter how trivial, please report it.

NEW PARISH COUNCILLOR.
I take great pleasure in reporting that we have a new Parish Councillor to replace Mike Kirkbright. Our new Councillor is Mr Geoff Daniel who is the husband of Joy Daniel our lady Vicar. Mr Daniel joined us for the first time in January and signed all the paper work making him a Parish Councillor. Welcome Geoffrey and thank you very much for giving your time to the community.

LEGAL ACTION
At our January meeting, the Parish Council voted to put aside the sum of £20,000. for the proposed legal action against Bedfordshire County Council.

CHRISTMAS GIFTS
The Christmas Gifts for the Elderly were distributed in December. Although a sum of money is always put aside to pay for these gifts, we always ask for donations from businesses in the area to supplement this. Sadly, I have to report that, despite writing personally to these businesses, this year has not been very fruitful in the way of donations. I must take the opportunity to thank those who did donate, I shall be writing to them to thank them and I shall also publish a list next month by way of an official thank you. May I dare to assume that the lack of response to this was because of the negative reporting that appeared in the Dunstable on Sunday last year. I can report that, despite showing such an interest in the matter of gifts for the elderly, a cheque from Dunstable on Sunday was not forthcoming. It is such a shame that because of such inaccuracies by some parts of the media, the end result is this. Note to DOS: I know you read this on the website I hope you will take note.

PROPOSED EXPANSION AT LUTON AIRPORT.
I noted the two letters that appeared in Decembers PN. My perceived 'lack of interest' in the matter is far from true. I have to make it quite clear that I attend the LLA Consultative Committee as a voting member for the Bedfordshire Assoc. of Town and Parish Councils, not Slip End. Slip Ends interests in the Airport are represented by Councillor Richard Stay, your County Councillor. Although it is within my brief to mention such matters in passing as it were, any detailed information should be sort through Councillor Stay as he is your representative. My interests are within the wider area of Bedfordshire and how the airport would impact on the towns and villages in S. Beds. Councillor Stay and I work as a team to ensure that his area (Slip End, Caddington, East Hyde) and mine (S.Beds Town & Parishes.) needs and interests are served properly with regard to the airport. I can only report back to you generally. For those of you who feel you need to know more, you are all welcome to attend Parish Council meetings to ask questions, or the forthcoming public meetings to be held in Caddington early this year, or on a larger scale the actual London Luton Airport Consultative Committee Meetings which are open to the public and are held at the District Offices in Dunstable regularly.

We still have some Jublilee Coins for sale at £2.50., so if you are interested please contact David Haste.
Christine Benson.
Chairman
Slip End Parish Council.


ACTION POINT SERVICE

Ask your councillor!

Saturday 1st February 2003
Saturday 1 March 2003

from 10.30 to 12.30pm at Heathfield Lower School
In attendance:-
County Councillor Richard Stay
& WPC Carron Thompson
This is your chance to discuss council & Police services and any other local issues:
Education, Social Services, Highway Maintenance, Libraries or Trading Standards.
Council Tax and Housing Benefit, Planning Issues, Environmental Health, Waste Disposal/Pest Control or Housing Needs.

Bedfordshire Action Points offer friendly and confidential advice and information on a wide range of council, public and voluntary services.
For further information contact Josie Blair on freephone 0800 838456


ALLOTMENTS & GARDEN ASSOCIATION

Vegetables
Start sprouting potato tubers, set them out in trays, in a light, frost free position. Place cloches over soil where early crops are to be grown. When not frosty do some deep digging, three split trenching and manure it in readiness for early peas and beans. Prepare onion bed for sowing later in the month. Plant shallots.
Flowers
Sow sweet peas in warm corner for later transplanting.

Shrubs and trees
Check that newly planted trees are securely staked. Firm soil round trunks if they have loosened in the wind.
Fruit
Plant new bushes when weather and soil conditions are favourable, check grease bands that were put on trees last autumn.

Lawns
When grass is dry enough to walk on, brush off worm casts, apply moss killer towards end of the month if weather is mild and dry.
Greenhouse
Take cuttings from over wintering chrysanthemum roots, pinch out growing tip of geranium and fuchsia cuttings.

General work
Clear up decaying rubbish, and burn it, make plans for garden lay out and the rotation scheme for vegetables.


1ST & 2ND WOODSIDE BROWNIES

We are in the process of organising events for the coming year and so far we have managed to organise a visit to the Countryside Centre at Dunstable Downs and also someone is coming to talk and show a video from the R.S.P.B at Sandy.
We also hope to have a bring a mum along evening, where we have one brownie whose mum is a police woman.
If you have an interesting hobby or past-time and would like to come and talk about it, please let me know. Ring me on 723109 and ask for Gillian (brown owl)
Gillian Plummer
Dates for dances

Saturday February 15th
Saturday March 1st
Saturday March 29th
Saturday April 26th
All to be held at the Village Hall – Dances are to live music. For tickets contact Shirley on 01582 412506


FRIENDSHIP CLUB

We held our Christmas Dinner on December 12th and 56 members and friends had a good time, being entertained by the Razzle Dazzles (ex Tyro’s). On the 19th December, Gillian and Shirley organised a Tea Dance for us, a lovely afternoon which we all thoroughly enjoyed.
Our first meeting after Christmas was on January 9th which was a very snowy day but 26 of us still managed to get to the Village Hall.
We will have an AGM soon to plan our forthcoming outings to the seaside and places of interest.
Our club dates are February 6th and February 27th, then from March 6th it will be weekly.
Viv Porter


ST ANDREWS RAMBLERS
On a very pleasant Sunday afternoon in January, thirteen keen folk were transported to Flamstead for a short 2 and a bit mile walk. As I followed the map and gave directions, across what turned out to be a thawed out field of clay, we remarked on the parallels to be drawn from the mornings sermon which referred to navigators, maps and feet of clay!
Our walks are planned for the 2nd Sunday of each month – meeting at 2.00pm in winter outside St Andrew’s and 2.30pm once the clocks change again to lighter evenings.
The next walk is around the Warden Hills of Luton and takes place on Sunday 9th . Anyone wishing to join will be most welcome.
Sue Wiltshire


LAUGHTER
A minister was preoccupied with thoughts of how he was going to ask the congregation at his church to come up with more money than they were expecting for repairs to the fabric. He talked over the problem with the organist to see what king of inspirational music she could play after the announcement about the finances – to get the congregation in a giving mood. “Don’t worry,” she said, “I’ll think of something.” During the service, the minister waxed lyrical for a while, drew a deep breath, and said: “Members of the congregation, we are in great difficulty; the rood repairs cost twice as much as we expected, and we need £10,000 more. Any of you who can pledge £500 or more, please stand up.” Immediately, the organist started playing “God Save The Queen”.
A lady came into the local car parts store and asked for a seven ten cap. The mechanics looked at each other and said, “What’s a seven ten cap?” She said, “You know, it’s right on the engine. Mine’s got lost somehow and I need a new one.”
“What kind of car is it on,” they asked. She said it was a Ford. “OK, how big is it?” She made a circle with her hands about 3 ½ inches in diameter. “What does it do?” they asked, “I don’t know, but it’s always been there” she answered. One of the mechanics gave her a note pad and asked her if she could draw a picture of it. She made a circle and in the centre she wrote 710. The men behind the counter, who were looking at it upside down as she wrote it, just fell about laughing in hysterics. One finally said, “I think you want an ‘OIL’ cap.” She said, “Seven Ten cap, oil cap, I don’t care what you call it, I just need one! I don’t see what is so funny about it.”

A nursery teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. As she got to one little girl, who was working very diligently, she asked her what she was drawing. The little girl replied “I’m drawing God.” The teacher paused, awkwardly, and said: “ But nobody knows what God looks like.” Without missing a beat, or looking up
from her drawing, the little girl replied: “They will in a minute.”


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