April 2004 - Contents Engagement Christians Together in Repton Repton, Foremark and Newton Solney Parish Churches Holy Week Services in Repton, Foremark and Newton Solney Communion services at St Saviour's Foremark Services at St. Wystan's, Repton Services at St Saviour's, Foremark Services at St Mary's, Newton Solney Readers and Intercessors at St. Wystan's Altar Flowers at St. Wystan's Brasses at St. Wystan's United Reformed Church Services at the United Reformed Church Easter Day Special Services at 11.00 and 6.30 Derbyshire Police Constabulary Choir, Friday 16th April at the URC Junior Church Anniversary, Sunday 16th May at 11.00 am and 6.30 pm Coffee Morning, Saturday 3rd April, 10.30 am Shell Baptisms, Marriages, Funerals and Burial of Ashes Baptisms Daisy-Mae Dorsett Marriages Christopher Colin Rollé and Helen Elizabeth Gilman Funerals and Burial of Ashes Robert James Henry Jacobs Kenneth John Shorthose Doris May Warwick Margaret (Peggy) Bell Phillips St Wystan's News Finding a new Vicar Update from Repton PCC Repton Open Gardens 2004, 26-27th June Flower Display in St Wystan's Church, 26-27th June Repton Scarecrow Competition, 26-27th June Dorcas Group & coffee morning - Saturday 15th May, 10.30 - 12 noon St Mary's News Annual Parochial Church Meeting, Tuesday, 27th April, at 7.30 pm St Mary's Church, Easter Decoration St Mary's Church Concert, Friday 21st May at 7.30 pm St Mary's Church Roof Appeal: Fashion Show, Friday 14th May at 7.30 pm Open Garden, Sunday 4th April, 2.00 to 5.30 pm Extend Easter Art Exhibition, 10th – 12th April The Derbyshire Police Constabulary Choir, Friday 16th April at 7.45 pm Handbells Coffee Morning, Saturday 17th April, 10.30 - 12.30 am St Wystan's Organ Recital, 24th April at 8 pm Mendelsohn's 'Elijah', April 25th, 7.30 pm The Swingle Singers, Tuesday April 27th, at 7.45 pm Reflexology demonstration and workshop, Wednesday April 28th at 8.00 pm Duck Derby, Sunday May 7th at 2 pm St. Mary's Church Buffet Lunch, Sunday May 9th at 1.00 pm Repton Primary PTA: spring bedding plant sale, Saturday 22nd May, 10 am to 12 noon Thankyou Schools Newton Solney Preschool Repton Village and History Coach trip to the Malvern Show: Sat May 8th Repton Council Jottings QEII Fund Annual General Meeting Repton Village Society Repton WI Repton Village History Group "Remember Blue Bus Services" Queen Mary in Repton? Gardening Notes Report from Morocco

Engagement

"They put him to death, hanging him on a gibbet; but God raised him to life on the third day, and allowed him to be clearly seen, not by the whole people, but by witnesses whom God had chosen in advance - by us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead." Acts 10:39-41

There is a lot of controversial talk at the moment about the Mel Gibson Film, 'The Passion of Christ.' I was reading one review of the film recently where I read the following:

"Through the centuries Christian depictions of the Crucifixion of Christ became so decorative that they lost the original passion. Beautiful works of art indeed, but they became nearly bloodless with no evidence of real emotion or pain. Artistic depictions of the Passion were reduced to a mere religious symbols. These works of art have deep connection to the faithful, but no connection to rest of the world apart from their obvious decorative beauty. Neither of the depictions below have the crown of thorns, nor evidence of the whipping, nor emphasis on blood, pain or passion. All the characters look bored, even Jesus looks bored. Again, no passion."

I think I am very much tempted to agree with this review that in general over the years we have glorified the Easter story, and I also agree that along the way it has also lost its Passion. We have softened it up. We do not at times grasp the full impact and meaning of the accounts of these central and cardinal doctrines of the Christian Faith that we read in the Passion and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Do we really capture the emotion and the tension which starts with all the hype at the triumphal entry into Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday. Who would have though at the time that this crowd that greeted Jesus and the disciples with such joy and enthusiasm, would one week later be crying 'crucify him!!!'

When we celebrate Holy Communion - do we really engage with our Lord in the way the disciples would when he announced his death to them? What are our true feelings as Maundy Thursday comes and goes? Do we feel bereft and orphaned as we remember the act of crucifixion on Good Friday in whichever way our individual denominations traditionally remember this day? What are our feelings on Easter Saturday, when the emotions of Friday are over - we know the outcome - but what were the feelings, the real feelings, of those who were closest to Jesus immediately after the crucifixion?

Then on Easter Sunday the whole mood changes and we come to church to celebrate the 'Risen Christ'. But what was it really like for, say, Peter and the two Marys on that first Easter Morning?

Peter, an eyewitness to the resurrection of Jesus, can hardly contain his surprise as he tells the story to anyone he meets. Jesus was raised from the dead! A cruel death seemed to end everything, but Jesus was alive, risen! The apostle who denied him was forgiven by the risen Jesus while they ate and drank together on the shore of the Lake of Galilee. A new age of God's favour had dawned! The women at the tomb early on Easter morning were the first to know, it seems, perhaps because, standing their ground beneath the cross, they clung to hope till the last. Soon the most doubtful disciples, like Thomas, were convinced. No, Jesus was not a ghost or someone they imagined. They touched his wounds with their hands.

The gospels do not describe Jesus coming out from the tomb, but only his meetings with his disciples, first one, then them all. They, in turn, burning with overpowering belief, told others that they might believe.

And so, because they lived through the emotion, the turmoil, they experienced the Passion and the Resurrection, and because of this we too must meet the Risen Jesus too.

Christians Together in Repton

Twice a year representatives from the United Reformed, the Catholic and Parish Churches meet together to share ideas and arrange joint events. Our last meeting was on the 2nd March; the items discussed were as follows:

Communion at the Dales

Arrangements for Maundy Thursday

Christian Aid Week

Children's Fun Day - a joint summer activity

Open Gardens Weekend

Remembrance Sunday

Advent Window and Christmas Card

Possible events for One World Week

Our next meeting is at 8pm on Tuesday 21st September at the URC.

Services at Foremark, Newton Solney
and Repton Churches

Holy Week Services in Repton, Foremark and Newton Solney

Palm Sunday, 4th April
Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, the day when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem for the last time in a triumphant procession with his disciples. Palm crosses are given to everyone at the 8am and 10am communion services at St, Wystan's and at 10am All Age Worship at Newton Solney.

At St Wystan's at 6.30 pm on Palm Sunday evening there will be a Dramatic Reading of the story of the crucifixion.

Maundy Thursday, 8th April
On the night before he was arrested and crucified Jesus met for the last supper with his disciples. That was when he broke the bread, shared the cup and told them to "Do this in remembrance of me". We celebrate this at a special shared communion service in St Wystan's Church at 8 pm.

Good Friday, 9th April
There will be a special service for children at St Wystan's Repton on Good Friday morning at 10.30 am.

The "Three Hours" service from 12 noon to 3 pm on Good Friday marks the hours when Jesus hung on the cross. This year the speaker will be Canon Nicholas Henshall, a Canon Precentor at Derby Cathedral. Building on the growing tradition of the past few years, Good Friday this year takes the now familiar form: two hours of reflection, readings and hymns, with the service reaching its climax in the final hour when the account of the crucifixion will be sung and all are invited to pray before the cross. People are welcome for any or all of the three hours with a real emphasis on spending the last hour together on this day of both tragedy and triumphant.

There will a one hour Meditation at Newton Solney starting at 2 pm.

Easter Sunday, 11th April
There will be communion services at 8 am at Foremark, at 8 am and 10 am at St Wystan's, and at 10 am at Newton Solney. During the 10 am at St Wystan's there will be a crèche for very young children in the vestry. Children from 3 to 10 will be welcome to join the Sunday Club. They go out with the teachers early in the service and come back in time to go up for a blessing with their parents at the communion. There will be Evensong at Repton and Foremark at 6.30 pm.

Communion services at St Saviour's Foremark

(Corrected)

To celebrate Easter, there will be an 8 am Holy Communion Service at St. Saviour's Foremark on Easter Sunday. From May, Foremark will again have a monthly 8 am Holy Communion service on the fourth Sunday of each month starting on 23rd May. The Evensong service on the second Sunday of each month will continue.

St. Wystan's, Repton

St Saviour's, Foremark

St Mary's, Newton Solney

Readers and Intercessors at St. Wystan's

Altar Flowers

Brasses

The United Reformed Church

Easter Day Special Services at 11.00 and 6.30

The morning service on Easter day will include a chance for the whole family to share in Holy Communion. In the evening the churches at Carlton Road and Mackworth will join us in a special service, led by Revd Terry Oakley, our Provincial Moderator. Come and celebrate the resurrection!

Derbyshire Police Constabulary Choir, Friday 16th April at the URC

Don't miss the opportunity to hear the choir singing your favourite songs. Tickets £4, available from members, or telephone 701581. Refreshments will be available.

Junior Church Anniversary, Sunday 16th May at 11.00 and 6.30

Advance notice.

Coffee Morning, Saturday 3rd April, 10.30

This month the coffee morning is on the first Saturday in the month, to avoid a clash with the Easter weekend. Home made cakes and marmalade, a children's Easter game and the Webb Ivory stall - and a chance to chat over coffee and biscuits.

Shell

Shell (age 7+) meets on Monday 26th April following the Easter break, from 6.30 to 7.30 pm. New members welcome.

Baptisms

Daisy-Mae, daughter of Samantha and Wayne Dorsett of 37, Sorrel Drive, Woodville, was baptised at St Wystan's on Sunday 29th February.

Marriages

Christopher Colin Rollé and Helen Elizabeth Gilman were married at St Wystan's on Saturday 6th March.

Funerals and Burial of Ashes

Robert James Henry Jacobs, aged 90, formerly of Alrewas, died at his son, David's house, 9 Brookside, Repton on 12th February. His funeral was held at Bretby Crematorium on Thursday 19th February.

Kenneth John Shorthose of Norfolk Road, Stapenhill, died on 24th February, aged 73. His funeral was held at St Mary's Church on Friday 5th March, with cremation following at Bretby Crematorium.

Doris May Warwick, aged 84, formerly of Pinfold Close and Fisher Close, Repton, died on 1st March at Etwall Old Lodge. Her funeral was held at Bretby Crematorium on Friday 5th March.

Margaret (Peggy) Bell Phillips, aged 76, of 16 Askew Grove, died on 4th March. Her funeral was held at St Wystan's on Saturday, 13th March, followed by interment in Repton Cemetery.

St Wystan's News

Finding a new Vicar

It is now nearly five months since Julian's retirement but progress is being made with finding a replacement. The vacancy has now been posted by the Bishop on a Church of England vacancy list and to date we have had four applicants. There is a cut-off date of March 31st for further applications, after which a shortlist will be drawn up and the selected candidates will be interviewed at the end of April. Hopefully from this we will be able to find the right person for us.

Update from Repton PCC

At its last meeting on 15th March the PCC:

• Welcomed new members elected at the annual meeting.
• Elected its officers and agreed sub committee memberships for the coming year.
• Co-opted two additional members - Jan Gillham and Fred Hill.
• Heard that the highways authority had agreed to raise and realign the kerb around the war memorial, and provide road markings and notices to discourage people from parking in front of the lych gate.
• Received further updates on the progress with appointing a new priest and the diocesan Renewing Ministry plans.
• Agreed to a programme of stonework repairs following the quinquennial inspection.
• Received a report on its child protection arrangements.
• Agreed to a campaign to promote Gift Aid giving.
• Was advised that the late Robert Beldam had bequeathed £10,000 for repairs to the crypt and spire.
• Received a report from Christians Together in Repton.
• Discussed arrangements for the Open Gardens Weekend 26/27th June.

Minutes of PCC meetings are displayed at the back of the church. Anyone with questions or wanting more information is welcome to talk things over with a PCC member. The next PCC meeting is on 12th May.

Repton Open Gardens 2004

The Open Gardens this year is the weekend of June 26th and 27th. We have about 20 gardens opening and the Church will be decorated. Refreshments will be in the Village Hall where there will also be a produce stall (contributions for this will be gratefully received). There will be some additional activities in some of the gardens (tombola, book stall, Grand Prize Draw, etc.) as there will not be a Church Fete this year, and all proceeds will go to the Church. It promises to be a super weekend! Please put the date in your diary. There will be further information next month.

Flower Display in St Wystan's Church

On the 26-27th June, the same weekend as the Open Gardens, there will be a Flower Display in the church. We will be particularly featuring garden flowers, to tie in with the Open Gardens, and would be delighted if keen gardeners were able to grow, and then donate flowers for these arrangements. This would help to minimise the cost of 'bought' flowers. As well as flowers and foliage, we will need lots of helpers especially during the weekend and a few days prior to the event.

Plans are progressing. We would like to hear from individuals, families and/or organisations who might like to sponsor this display of flowers. If there is a particular event or person that has special significance for you, why not pledge a donation towards these arrangements. All donations will be acknowledged during the weekend.

We will need lots of help to make the weekend a memorable event for the village so if you would be interested in being involved in any capacity, growing flowers or providing foliage, doing an arrangement, stewarding or just generally helping, please contact Margaret Rainey on 703748 or Karen Perks 702392.

Repton Scarecrow Competition

We are holding the Scarecrow competition again this year on the weekend of the Open Gardens. The varied displays provide a great source of fun and entertainment.Although it is called a 'Scarecrow Competition' we would really like you to create a garden character or feature requiring a bit of imagination and lots of artistic licence! So, please join in the fun and start working on your ideas now. We would especially like more children to be involved ,so come on, kids, show your mums and dads what you can do! There will be more information in next month's magazine.

Dorcas Group

We are now holding our meetings on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, from 2 to 4 pm at 3 Stratford Close, Repton. If anyone would like to join us they are very welcome to come along. We hope to hold our coffee morning on Saturday 15th May, from 10.30 to 12 noon but please note that we are not doing bedding plants this year. There will be geraniums, pelargoniums, fuscias and assorted plants, besides coffee and biscuits.

St Mary's News

Annual Parochial Church Meeting

The Annual Meeting is to be held in St Mary's Church on Tuesday, 27th April, at 7.30pm. This is the meeting at which Church Officers report on the past year and when elections are held for Churchwardens and the Parochial Church Council. At the end of the meeting light refreshments will be available for everyone present. Parishioners are warmly invited to attend. Nomination slips for candidates for the elections are to be found at the back of the Church and should be returned to the PCC Secretary if possible by Sunday 18th April.

St Mary's Church, Easter Decoration

On Easter Eve the bare wooden cross which is 'dressed' during Lent with symbols of the Passion will be decorated in celebration of the Resurrection. On the same day, Saturday 10th April, from 9.30am, the Church will be decorated throughout for Easter. Help with arranging the flowers would be welcomed, as also contributions of flowers and foliage.

St Mary's Church Concert

On Friday 21st May, 7.30pm, Tony Luke (The Singing Vicar) is to make a return visit with friends and to perform a full concert in Church. Those who heard him sing in the November Concert will agree that this is an occasion not to be missed. Watch out for further details.

St Mary's Church Roof Appeal: Fashion Show

A Fashion Show, for ladies only, will be held on Friday, 14th May, 7.30pm, at Newton Park. Tickets (£10 including a glass of wine) are available from Mrs Jan Cartwright (Tel:704282).

St Wystan's Organ Recital

There is an opportunity to hear the new Peter Collins Organ again in a recital by David Johnson on Saturday 24th April at 8 pm. Tickets £6, under 18s free. All the proceeds from the event will go to church funds.

Repton Primary PTA: spring bedding plant sale

A sale of garden bedding plants will take place on Saturday 22nd May at Repton Primary School from 10 am to 12 noon.

A wide variety of plants will be available although supplies will be limited. All plants will be sold on a first come first serve basis; however you can guarantee your order by completing the order form on page 25. You may order as much as you want so order for family and friends. Please collect your order on 22nd May from the school between 10 and 12. If your order is over £30 and you would like a free delivery (local only) please let us know by completing the box on the order form. We will deliver your order between 10am and 12 noon, so please ensure you are available to receive your order.

Please return your order form and payment to the school marked for the attention of Sarah Baker or Diane Murray. Cheques to be made payable to Repton Primary School PTA. Orders must be received no later than Wednesday 5th May.

Your support for this event would be much appreciated and all profits will go to the school.

Thankyou

I would like to thank everyone for their help, good wishes, cards, flowers and presents after my stay in hospital. Special thanks to Paul, Valerie, Diana, Maureen and Sue.

Repton Village & History

Coach trip to the Malvern Show: Sat May 8th

There are a few seats left on the coach. Departure time is 8.00 am from Repton, arriving back at approx. 7 pm. The cost is £15.50 which includes entry to the show, the prelude to the gardening year. To book, ring Marjorie Boddice on 701192 or Hilary Hazelwood on 702423.

Repton Council Jottings

An unofficial review of some topics discussed at a Parish Council Meeting held on 8 March 2004.

Further to last month's item, following an inspection of Willington Bridge, the County Council reports it to be safe for vehicles up to 40 tons. A full structural survey is undertaken every two years, but they haven't said when the next one is due.

PC Chris Staley responded to a variety of issues raised by councillors and the public, but the two main areas of concern were vandalism and the excessive speed of some police cars through Repton.

On the first of these PC Staley said that in February the reported crime count for the village was 10, which represented less than 2.5% of all crimes logged in South Derbyshire that month. This goes some way to explaining why there is so little police presence here. His advice to us all is to report every incident of criminal or anti-social behaviour that we see, as this will increase the police focus on the village. Make a note all the relevant details, and try to identify the culprits if they are local. Most vandalism in Repton is caused by a mere handful of youths who are known to the police, but as yet there is insufficient evidence to secure a conviction. Armed with enough proof the police can apply to magistrates for an Anti-Social Behaviour Order to limit their freedom. The Police Call Centre numbers are 01283 550101 and 01332 290100. PC Staley's mobile is 07711 734432.

Regarding the excessive speed of police cars, we're told officers will be made aware of villagers' concern, and reminded of the need to ensure the safety of local residents and road users when answering emergencies. As a result of a reorganisation in the police emergency response structure, Repton is now on the main route for many call-outs. This accounts for the significant increase in the number of police cars racing through the village, hence the issue is likely to remain a prominent one.

BT admits that it made an error in removing the call box in the Square, against the Council's wishes. A replacement is promised.

Eight planning applications were considered, two of which drew adverse comment. One was another application by Repton Tandoori to legitimise the sale of takeaways and to fry food in the evenings. The application included a traffic survey supporting the case, and plans to increase the chimney height. On a majority vote the Parish Council decided that it cannot withdraw its previous objection to frying food after 5.00 pm, unless filters are installed to control emissions.

The other rejected application was for the conversion of 36 High Street into 3 one-bedroom apartments. Inadequate parking provisions coupled with the loss of commercial premises were the stumbling blocks.

The next Parish Council meeting will be on 19 April at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall

QEII Fund Annual General Meeting

Small profits from the Repton Bonfire Celebrations have been pooled with the proceeds from the Queen's Jubilee Celebrations in the village and are managed by a village committee. The committee is made up of representatives of all Repton village organisations who wish to be represented. The fund is available to any Repton Village organisation – whether existing or formed for the purpose - in order to help cover the up-front costs of community events. For example, the bonfire organisers have to pay for the fireworks long before they get the money in from spectators. Any advance of money is effectively a loan to be repaid out of proceeds.

The Annual General Meeting of this committee will take place at The Den, Mitre Drive, Repton on Tuesday 20th April at 8.30pm. All village organisations are invited to send a representative. For further information, phone Mrs. Fluck on 704863.

Repton Village Society

We had a large audience on the March 4th to hear a talk on 'Derbyshire's Abandoned Mines' by John Jones, a geologist who had an expertise gained from many years exploring these old mines. Many of us would not actually enjoy going down the mines but John brought the subject alive with his brilliant slides and many anecdotes. We saw fungus that only grows in July (how does it know - 250 feet below ground). He showed us slides of wooden implements abandoned many, many years ago that still looked useable but actually crumble into dust at the slightest draught as someone goes past!

Our next meeting is on Thursday April 1st and includes a short AGM when we will also be voting on an updated constitution to bring us in line with the Civic Trust model constitution. The AGM will be followed by a talk on 'Code Breaking in the Second World War - The Secrets of Station X' by Dr Jarvis who will also be our guide for the visit on Saturday April 3rd. The meeting starts at 7 30 pm in Repton Village Hall. I am certain the talk will be of interest to many people giving the difficulty of the task the code-breakers were set and the importance of the work they carried out, affecting not only the outcome of the war but also the development of computing.

A reminder that subscriptions for 2004 are £3.00 for single members and £6.00 for household membership. Denis Dalton (704922) is looking forward to receiving your moneys!

Repton WI

Repton WI members had a taste of Italy at their March meeting when Nancy Hawkesworth demonstrated five recipes using Italian ingredients. She cooked a risotto which smelt and tasted wonderful and ended with a Sicilian Cassata which was enjoyed by all.

Next month members are likely to be tasting again when David Stone talks about the Art of the Chocolate Maker. Visitors are always welcome at WI meetings -- just come along on Tuesday, April 13th at 7.15 pm.

On April 22nd Repton are hosting the Mercia Group Meeting when members of Bretby, Milton, Newton Solney and Willington Institutes are looking forward to welcoming members from the re-formed Findern W.I.

Repton Village History Group

The first 'open' meeting of the enlarged RVHG was held in the URC schoolroom on 16 March. It was well attended by existing members and prospective new ones. Selections of the group's archive, documentary and photographic resources were on show, together with laptop computer displays of newly-acquired photos, and registers which had been transcribed onto databases for easy search and reference. There was also a microfiche reader to look at old directories on film.

The chairman, David Guest, described the group's current size and activity, and went on to outline some future objectives which could be achieved if only there were enough man (and woman) power to share out the practical tasks involved. There are 'watchers' and 'doers', but more 'doers' needed! He described up to twenty varied activities open to members who want to make a real contribution. In answer to a question, he said that it wasn't the main purpose of the RVHG just to accumulate raw material about Repton's history for its own sake. He added that the aim was to publish it, in various formats, to exhibit it widely within the area, and generally to make it accessible. It was suggested that schoolchildren also could be encouraged to take an interest in their local and family histories.

Whilst individual members can always work on their own pet topics, making use of local resources, the RVHG as a whole needs to set its own annual objectives, which would involve collective work, culminating in the desired displays, exhibitions and publications. This year a new book of old pictures of the Repton area will be published (the first of a series), based on the 2003

"Remember Blue Bus Services"

This booklet is a brief history of the famous Blue Bus services which ran between Derby and Burton-on-Trent from 1922 until 1973. It has been produced by the Repton Village History Group and printed at the Magic Attic in Swadlincote. It is now available to buy at these Post Offices, all of which were on its bus route: Etwall, Stretton, Findern, Willington, Repton and Newton Solney, priced at £1.75.

Queen Mary in Repton?

The History Group has been given an old photograph which appears to show the late Queen Mary (1867-1953) planting a tree, possibly in Repton, perhaps at the School. The only other person shown is a man (a gardener?) assisting her, and he seems to be wearing an old Army battle dress outfit. Does anyone recall such a Repton royal visit? King George V reigned from 1910 until his death in 1936, when Mary became Queen Mother until her son George VI died in 1952; she died in 1953.

Any clues or answers please to Alan Kimber, photography archivist, RVHG (704042).

Gardening Notes

All the Seed orders have arrived by now: I have two boxes full of seed packets - one for flowers and one for vegetables - and it is necessary to get them in some sort of order, separating those to be sown under glass from those sown directly outside and those to be sown in April from those to be sown subsequently. It is also necessary to continue rotating crops in the vegetable garden so as not to grow the same type of vegetable in the same place each year. Broadly speaking this involves four groups: peas and beans; cabbage family; onions, and rootcrops and potatoes.

Some peas and broad beans will have been sown already but more can be sown in April. Leek, parsnip, carrot and beetroot may also have been sown but there is still time also for spinach beet, and lettuce can be sown at intervals. Brussels sprouts and winter cabbage should also be sown. Runner beans and French beans, marrows and tomatoes can be started in a frost free greenhouse. Chillies and peppers are more popular now and can also be sown at this time but they do need 70º F to germinate and do best where temperatures are kept above 60º F.

Early potatoes should be in now and maincrop later in the month. Onion sets should also be in as should onion plants.

Place trays of bedding plants in a cold frame as soon as they are advanced enough but ensure frost protection at night. Fruit bushes and, where possible, fruit trees in blossom will also need protection from frost with fleece. Sweet peas should be planted out and dahlia tubers planted about nine inches deep. Cuttings can be taken from the growing tips of dahlias, if these have formed before planting. Plant gladioli out now and over the next few weeks to give a succession of flowers. Sow annuals directly where you want them to flower and mark them in some way to distinguish emerging seedlings from weeds.

Pot on fuchsia cuttings and pelargonium, argyranthemum and other over-wintered cuttings and nip out the growing point to produce bushier plants. Start staking tall herbaceous plants in the border. Trim winter heathers and take cuttings from the new growth. Prime forsythia after flowering taking out a third of the old growth. Winter jasmine may also need pruning and removal of green shoots from variegated plants. This is a good time to plant evergreens. Feed spring flowering bulbs after flowering. A slow release feed such as bone meal is best.

Start a regular programme for spraying roses against black spot, rust and aphids and keep a watch out for aphids on other susceptible plants both out doors and in the greenhouse. Watch out also for mildew on gooseberries and sawfly caterpillars. Protect hostas and emerging delphinium shoots from slugs.

Lawns will need mowing weekly now and feeding will be beneficial with weedkill and mosskill added as needed.

Prepare hanging baskets and containers for summer plants mixing a controlled release fertiliser such as osmocote in the soil. Remove the polythene lining from greenhouses and apply shading to the glass if you intend to grow tomatoes or indeed most plants that the sun can scorch. No time for a holiday in April!

Report from Morocco

Two years ago Sophie Farrell came to a supper in the Village Hall where four Project Trust volunteers, returned from exotic parts, reported on their experiences. This is what that evening led to:

I am currently spending my gap year working as a Project Trust volunteer in the town of Errachidia, in south-eastern Morocco. I live with my project partner, Esther, and we have had a brilliant time over the past six months. Errachidia is a traditional Moroccan town, situated where the Atlas Mountains meet the Sahara, meaning that we have fantastic weather: blue skies and sunshine almost everyday!

Our work involves teaching supplementary English lessons in three of the lycées in Errachidia, so the majority of our pupils are aged between 16 and 18, although they can be as old as 23! We also do extra work in the boarding house where we live, the Youth Centre and a private evening school. For most of the pupils, English is their third or fourth language (the others are Arabic, French and, for some, Berber) and they have to improve quickly to reach the baccalaureate standard after only three years of study. We work with both beginners and more advanced students, reinforcing the textbook work through varied activities. In general, the lessons are very rewarding and enjoyable, and our pupils have definitely improved since the beginning of the year.

We are living in a boarding house for girls from rural villages in the mountains and the desert oases. It is very basic and full of rules and regulations, but it's a very sociable place to live and we've made lots of friends. We teach English at lunchtimes and evenings and we have a choir on Fridays. The choir has become very successful - when we travel around the region, all the boarders' brothers and sisters know the songs! So far, the favourites have been 'We Wish You a Merry Christmas' and 'If You're Happy and You Know It' (unfortunately, the girls refuse to accept that Christmas is now over!) The only downsides to the boarding house are the terrible food and the lack of showers, though we do go to the public baths with the girls once a week!

From the moment of our arrival everyone has been very welcoming and we have received huge numbers of dinner invitations, even from complete strangers! We usually spend our weekends visiting friends in Errachidia and going to stay with the boarders in their villages. It is fascinating to see the contrast between the richer town houses and the much poorer village houses. Life in the villages is very traditional, and electricity and running water are still luxuries. No matter wherever we go though, we're always fed copious amounts of delicious couscous, tajine, cakes and mint tea. I love exploring the palm groves of the oases when we go out into the countryside, as they are such a contrast to the rockiness of the desert plateau.

Morocco is an Islamic country, so we have experienced the celebrations of Ramadan (the month of fasting - which we tried for 8 days!), Aïd al-Fitr (celebrations at the end of Ramadan) and Aïd al-Kebir (where a sheep is slaughtered in memory of Ibrahim, who sacrificed a ram instead of his son when he was instructed to do so by Allah.) It has been really interesting to share in these celebrations and to see all the traditions, particularly the sacrifice of a ram for Aïd al-Kebir, which definitely came under the category 'once in a lifetime'. The latest festival was Ashoura, when all the children have a water fight in the streets!

We have another three months left in Errachidia before we leave to travel, although we won't return to Britain until August. We'll be sad to leave, since we now feel very settled in the community. Nevertheless, as we're at present recording all the textbook listenings for the region's schools, I can safely say that our voices will remain here for many years to come!