May 2004 - Contents Nostalgia is Counterproductive Repton, Foremark and Newton Solney Parish Churches Foremark services: correction 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 Coffee Morning, Saturday 8th May, 10.30-11.30 Sunday 16th May, 11.00am and 6.30pm: Junior Church Anniversary Shell Baptisms, Marriages, Funerals and Burial of Ashes Marriages James Debenham and Lucy Pagett Michael Wells and Lesley Caley Funerals and Burial of Ashes Constance Annie Coe St Wystan's News Parish Directory Peak District Walk Dorcas Group Open the Book Open Gardens Weekend 26th & 27th June Thank You - Jan and David Roberts Mothers' Union St Mary's News St Mary's Church Roof Appeal - Collection Boxes Coffee Morning Thanks to the McEwan family Fashion Show, Friday 14th May St Mary's Church Lunch, Sunday 9th May Wild Flower Quiz Duck Derby, Sunday May 7th St. Mary's Church BUFFET LUNCH, Sunday May 9th Repton School Subscription Concert, May 18th at 7.45 pm "Here's a how-de-doo", Friday 21st May at 7.30 pm Spring bedding plant sale, Saturday 22nd May Garage sale, Saturday 5th June at 10 am Christian Aid Week, 9-15 May 2004 Schools Repton Preparatory School Open Morning, Saturday 8th May Repton Village and History JOGS AGM, Wednesday 26th May Repton WI Repton Village History Group Scout Football Field Day, Saturday May 8th Repton Village Hall AGM, Monday 17th May Repton Village Society Gardening Notes

Nostalgia is Counterproductive

In the early 1950s a new programme was broadcast on the airwaves. It was called "The Archers. Some love it, some despise it, but for half a century "The Archers" has endured, and those who listen to it regularly know that it has adapted to the many changes in life and society.

Most radio and television productions are relevant only to today, and hence, as times change they become irrelevant and are soon dropped. This axing of programmes is inevitable because life moves on and anything that doesn't move with it is doomed. But programmes like the Archers that survive for many years are exceptional. Over the years this "every day story of country folk" has changed and developed, as society and culture have changed and developed, and perhaps this is part of the secret of its success. Its fans remember the past with affection, but they do not dwell on it in a nostalgic fashion. They accept the changes in the programme even though some of these haven't been popular, and some have caused shock and outrage. But the fans continue to listen.

In the Book of Isaiah, God warned the Israelites against nostalgia. He warned them about constantly living in the past and of harking back to a golden age, and He tells them "Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?"  (Isaiah 43:18-19).

Nostalgia is counterproductive, it blurs memories and tends to embellish them, so that all we see is a rosy glow and we forget the realities. God himself sees the danger of living in the past; and that verse from Isaiah urges us to move on. And he promises us that as we move forward he will be there beside us.

Over the past few months members of the Deanery Synods in the Diocese of Derby have been considering how the Christian Church will survive, given the current challenges that face it. The Christian Church will survive, but it may not be in the form we know and love unless we are able to allow God to do a new thing. If we constantly resist attempts to update the Church, to make it relevant to people today, it will, like so many television and radio programmes, fade into obscurity. The Church needs to be more like "The Archers", tackling difficult and sensitive subjects as it moves with the times.

So does this mean that we must turn our backs on all aspects of the Church as we know it? Do we have to change everything? Not at all! The past age of the Church was indeed a glorious age and we need to build on its strengths. But while we are building let us stay alive and allow God to move us forward, filled with his Spirit and remembering the words from Isaiah that God is "about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?"

Services at Foremark, Newton Solney
and Repton Churches

Foremark services: correction

The information given originally in last month's magazine about Holy Communion at St Saviour's was incorrect.

From 23rd May, Holy Communion will be celebrated at 8am on the fourth Sunday of each month, evensong at 6.30pm on the second Sunday.

Apologies for the misinformation.

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

Coffee Morning, Saturday 8th May, 10.30-11.30

Home-made cakes and marmalade, apple pies like mother used to make, Webb Ivory cards and the children's game: come and enjoy your coffee abnd biscuits with friends.

Sunday 16th May, 11.00am and 6.30pm: Junior Church Anniversary

The theme of this year's anniversary is 'Jesus: the Light of the World'. Our children and young people will be leading the worship, exploring the theme in songs and readings. Please come to support them and join in our day of celebration!

Shell

Shell (age 7+) meets on Mondays from 6.30 to 7,30, except the Bank Holiday Mondays, May 3rd and 31st. New members are welcome.

Marriages

James Debenham and Lucy Pagett were married at St Saviour's Church, Foremark on Saturday 27th March.

Michael Wells and Lesley Caley were married at St Wystan's Church, Repton on Saturday 3rd April.

Funerals and Burial of Ashes

Constance Annie Coe (Connie) of 85 Springfield Road, Repton died on 16th March, aged 82. Her funeral was held at St Wystan's on Thursday 25th March, followed by cremation at Bretby.

St Wystan's News

Parish Directory

Any alterations to the information given in the 2003 Parish Directory need to be notified to Ted Weston by the end of the first week in May. Secretaries and organisers please let him know at 3 Stratford Close Repton or on 704049.

Peak District Walk

On Saturday May 22nd there will be another Parish Walk of about ten miles. As before, it will consist of two parts, forming a figure of eight: the morning loop returning to the starting point (near a pub) for lunch; the afternoon loop, which should be completed by 5pm, allowing us to be back in Repton by 6 o'clock. Those who do not wish to cover the whole distance could join us for either the morning or the afternoon. If you are interested please ring me on 702384.

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 May 15th, 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.

Biddy Weston, tel 704049

Open the Book

'Open the Book' is an exciting project which enables and facilitates the telling of Bible stories to children in primary schools. Local churches in Repton, Winshill and Newton Solney are getting involved in this venture.

There will be a 'Bring and Share' lunch on Sunday, 16th May, in Repton Village Hall, starting at 12.30 when there will be an opportunity to see the 'work in progress', and to offer advice, ideas and help (both practical and financial). Please sign up on the list at the back of St. Wystan's Church if you would like to join us for lunch. This occasion will also give us the chance to say 'Goodbye' to Judith Fox who is moving from the village.

For further information, please contact Sue Parker on 01283 702550

Open Gardens Weekend 26th & 27th June

A reminder that the Open Gardens this year is a two day event with over 20 gardens opening. The church will also be decorated and there will be a Grand Prize Draw and stalls in some of the gardens. The Village Hall will have a produce stall and teas will be served. The URC will be open on the Saturday afternoon. There will also be the usual Scarecrow Competition. It promises to be an excellent weekend. Make a note in your diaries

Thank You

Jan and David Roberts would like to thank everyone, both local and from further afield, who attended their Open Garden on April 4th. A magnificent £204 was raised for Church funds.

Mothers' Union

We are still hopeful that the Community Room may be available for the meeting on May 19th, when Sylvia Fox will speak abut Jeremiah, Servant of God.

Two members attended the Diocesan Festival Service held at the Cathedral on Lady Day to hear Canon Elaine Jones speak on 'Mary's response to the message' and eight members attended the Overseas Evening held at Overseal on April 1st, when Glenda Brewin spoke about her work for the orphaned children of Russia.

Two interesting points arising from the Diocesan Council meeting held at Matlock on March 27th:
-     the MU branch within Foston Prison is flourishing. Twenty two girls attended the last meeting and they have successfully completed their banner, which they are hoping can be dedicated at a service in Sudbury Prison.
-     The Revd Jenny Howard, a reader from Bonsall, gave a brief account of how she and two other members have revamped that MU branch, doubling their numbers, most of the new ones being under 50. It was suggested that branches might benefit by having a link branch within the Diocese.

The Advent Quiet Day is to be held at Morley on 7th December and the theme for 2005 is 'Peace and Reconciliation'.

St Mary's News

St Mary's Church Roof Appeal - Collection Boxes

A big thank you to the donor of our boxes, to the distribution team and to those parishioners who have kindly taken boxes, which may be used for small change or as a means of saving towards the purchase of a square foot of the Church Roof. What-ever your goal please keep contributing! If you have not received a box and would like one, please contact one of the following:- Liz Bullivant (703819), Jennifer Haynes (703827) or Linda Williams (701366).

As this is a two-year fund-raising project, full boxes will be collected and replacements provided by any of these people throughout the two years.

Coffee Morning

Many thanks to all who supported the Coffee Morning at the end of March, whether by their physical presence or by sending donations. The proceeds totalled just over £1100, enabling us to raise the thermometer by another mark.

Lenten Discipline

Congratulations and thanks to the McEwan family for their self-discipline during Lent, exercised in aid of the Roof Appeal. Abigail abstained from television and her mother from chocolate, raising between them over £70 in sponsorship money. Well done!

Fashion Show

The next fund-raising event, for ladies only, is the Fashion Show at Newton Park on Friday 14th May, Fashions by Fatale. Tickets (£10 including a glass of wine) are available from Mrs Jan Cartwright (704282).

St Mary's Church Lunch

Have you remembered to book your place for the lunch on Sunday 9th May? Tickets may be obtained from Hazel & Dennis Ward at 21 Blacksmith's Lane (701244) or from Newton Solney Village Shop.

Wild Flower Quiz

The Quiz for this year, to test one's knowledge of wild flowers, is to be launched at the Church lunch in May, the name of the winner to be announced at the Harvest celebrations in the Autumn. Through the summer, copies will be available (at £1) from the Newton Solney Village Shop.

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.

Christian Aid Week, 9-15 May 2004

'We believe in life before death' (Christian Aid, 2004)

Christian Aid Week begins on 9 May, and the money raised this year will be used to improve people's lives in more than 50 countries worldwide. One of the places that Christian Aid has recently begun working is the former Soviet Republic of Tajikistan. Here, as in many other poor countries, money raised in Christian Aid Week is being used to help people live life to the full.

Khurshed Khuinov is 17 and lives in Tajikistan's capital, Duschanbe. He shares one room in a city hostel with his mother and five brothers and sisters. Life in the hostels is bleak and dangerous, so the organisation Zumrad, which is supported by Christian Aid, runs youth clubs to improve the lives of vulnerable children and give them emotional support. They enjoy climbing and camping expeditions, as well as workshops in which they make their own rucksacks and tents.

Zumrad is one of ten partner organisations in Tajikistan supported by Christian Aid. Tajikistan is one of the poorest countries in the world outside Africa, and Christian Aid began to work there quite recently. Situated in central Asia, north of Afghanistan, it was part of the Soviet Union until independence in 1991. Subsequently the economy has collapsed, and there has been a bitter civil war. One in three workers is jobless, and vulnerable people such as children and the elderly have little or no support. Children are particularly at risk if they are orphaned. Fifty thousand were orphaned during the war, and many more have parents who have been forced to leave home and seek work in Russia. Huge state orphanages provide schooling and shelter, but they are overcrowded and poorly resourced. Children living in these conditions are stigmatised, often do not have enough to eat, and are starved of affection.

In Khurshed's case, his family's situation was made harder because of his poor health. Until he was 12, he had to walk on crutches. 'After two operations the doctor succeeded in fixing my bones,' he explains.

For ten years, with funding from Christian Aid , Zumrad has given children such as these a richer education and deeper relationships than are possible in an orphanage or hostel.

Christian Aid Week collection

By supporting Christian Aid Week, you are among millions of people who think poverty is a scandal we do not have to accept. Your actions, commitment and contributions will bring about a better life for people in poor communities all over the world.

Last year the total collected from the Parishes of Repton and Foremarke (including Ingleby and Milton) and Newton Solney was £1757.11. Many thanks again to all who supported the collection. During the first week of May you will receive an envelope issued by Christian Aid. The envelopes have been redesigned to make tax reclaiming easier. Christian Aid will again be able to claim back the tax on all gifts from taxpayers. All that is needed is a name, an address and the amount. The envelope will be collected during the week commencing 9th May. If for some reason it is not collected THE POST OFFICE has kindly agreed to have a container into which you can place your envelope.

Christian Aid is a Christian agency that is not exclusive. It is officially sponsored by forty churches in the UK and Ireland. Your continued support is greatly appreciated, and if you can help collect, or distribute envelopes please get in touch.

We still need collectors for all areas. Even if you are willing to collect once we would be grateful if you would contact Jackie Hurrell [co-ordinator], (702089) or Melodie Kettle (559217). For Newton Solney the contact is Jennifer Haynes (703827).

Repton Village & History

JOGS AGM

The AGM of the committee that runs the Guide and Scout HQ on Mitre Drive will take place on Wednesday 26th May at 8.00pm at The Den.

Repton WI

At the April meeting David Stone explained to members how he came to be producing hand-made chocolates after a career in knitwear manufacture and mining. Then he demonstrated how chocolate is melted and tempered, before allowing our younger visitors to try their hand at coating caramels. Finally we were all able to sample his delicious chocolates.

The next meeting will involve eating once again. May 11th is Resolutions Evening and after the discussion and voting the Committee will be serving a Hot Supper: Tuesday, May 11th at 7.15pm in the Village Hall.

Repton Village History Group

The new-style Village History Group has held two public open meetings so far, and a third one is being held in the URC schoolroom, Pinfold Lane, at 7.30 p.m. on Thursday, 20 May.

Work is progressing well on several prospective publications, including the new picture book of old photographs, the Banns Register of St Wystan's Church from 1859 to 1908, the Church Electoral Roll for 1936, the Minute Book of the Repton Institute 1854-64, and the 500-page Headmaster's Logbook for the Village School from 1896 to 1921. These fascinating old documents are treasure troves of information. They are not only being transcribed into type-written formats, but also being put onto computer discs for ease of storage and search.

There are plenty of interesting jobs to be done within the History Group for all levels of skill or knowledge. Members are encouraged to work in pairs or small groups on a favourite topic, and to report back on their progress. Please come along and see what's on offer to be done. If you have any queries beforehand, please contact Alan Hiley, Secretary (01332 273445) or David Guest, Chairman (01283 703650). Or drop in on the evening for a coffee and a chat.

Scout Football Field Day

On Saturday May 8th at 2.00pm, the Cubs and Scouts of the South Derbyshire District will be taking part in a football competition on the Mitre Field. There will also be stalls, games and refreshments to raise funds for the Repton Scout Group. Please come and support us and enjoy the afternoon.

Repton Village Hall AGM

The AGM of the Village Hall Management Committee will be held on Monday 17th May in the hall at 7.30pm. All villagers are invited to attend.

Repton Village Society

Our last meeting was on Thursday April 1st and included a short AGM. The officers of the RVS are Chairman - Peter Rainey, Vice Chairman - Alan Webster, Treasurer - Dennis Dalton, and Hazel Blackhall has agreed to become Secretary. The new constitution was passed with one vote against, bringing us in line with the Civic Trust model constitution.

The AGM was followed by a talk on 'Code Breaking in the Second World War - The Secrets of Station X' by Dr Jarvis. The talk was wide ranging covering the people who worked at Bletchley, the situation they operated under, as well as what was involved in breaking the ciphers. A talk that outlined the difficulty of the task but also the number of people involved and how it was only recently that the full story could be made public. The visit on the Saturday gave us an insight into the work carried out. To me seeing a 'Bombe' machine (used to crack the Enigma ciphers) being recreated today was the highlight. It enabled me to see the complexity and scale of what was done so many years ago under so much pressure. The trip was rounded off with a visit to the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation where cars, engines and memorabilia were on display including the original Silver Ghost, the car that really make Rolls-Royce's name.

Our next meeting is on Thursday 6th May when Norman Parr will talk on the 'Southwell Workhouse'. A story that will tell of a period and society that we would not want to be involved in.

Last year we had a very successful 'Best Kept Garden and Container Competition' that many of us enjoyed. We will be repeating the competition again this year and look forward to even more entrants. The village is having a two day Open Gardens event at the end of June this year so let's ensure visitors see Repton at its best. More details will follow next month.

Peter Rainey

Gardening Notes

May can be rather an in between time for the garden when the main spring show of flowering cherries and crab apples and spring bulbs is mostly finished and the summer bedding and border flowers are still to come The risk of frost is still very real and it is not safe to plant out summer bedding plants, but the beds can be cleared of the spring bedding as soon as it is past its best. Keep some fleece ready to protect fruit blossom, where practical, and the young shoots of Japanese acers and other tender plants. Summer bedding plants should be hardened off before eventually going out. Keep them in a cold frame or stand them out in the day and bring them in at night. Dahlia tubers already planted out in April may have sent up shoots and these will need protection too, and keep the young potato shoots well earthed up.

There should be plenty of colour in the border before the main planting gets going. Tulips will be at their best. Alliums, Solomon's seal (very susceptible to sawfly caterpillar damage) euphorbias, sweet rocket and honesty are all useful. Honesty is a prolific self seeding biennial but there is a perennial variety - Lunaria rediviva, which has fragrant lilac-white flowers. Oriental poppies fill a more permanent gap. They are not greedy feeders and flower every year without fail. More difficult and needing cool, moist conditions are the Meconopses or Himalayan poppies though the commonest, M cambrica, is Welsh and easier. M betonicifolia and M Sheldoni are the best blue ones. M grandis is yellow and M Nepalensis comes in pink or yellow varieties. There is also a white one. There is still time to sow late flowering bedding - asters, cosmos, alyssum, French marigolds and Berweek stocks and others. Now is the time to sow biennials such as forget-me-nots, hollyhocks, sweet Williams, lupins, wallflowers and polyanthus.

Take cuttings from the growing tips of Hebes and potentillas, fuchsias, philadelphus and deciduous viburnums. Spray susceptible roses against black spot, rust and aphid damage at fortnightly intervals. Net strawberries against bird damage and mulch with straw or black polythene to protect the fruit. Prune forsythia, flowering currant and chaenomeles after flowering. Privet and box hedges may need a trim. Pick off the dead flower heads from camellias and rhododendrons. Sow runner beans, French beans, peas, beetroot, summer broccoli, carrots and spinach beet. Also summer cabbage and cauliflower and make repeat sowings of lettuce at two to three week intervals. Sow marrows under glass. Plant out winter cabbages and Brussels sprouts sown last month, also leeks. Sowings of herbs such as basil, chives, sweet marjoram, coriander, dill, fennel and rocket can be made now. Plant tomatoes in the greenhouse - only frost protection is needed but apply shading to the greenhouse glass. Remove side shoots as they form; they can be used as cuttings. Clean out ponds, if necessary, and plant any new aquatic plants. Apply weed, feed and moss treatment tot the lawn if not already done.

Most of our summer migrant birds are here by now. Swifts and spotted flycatchers are among the last Swifts are also the first to go - by early August. They spend the whole year on the wing, even when sleeping, except when nesting. In a cold spell they may leave the nest for up to two weeks and fly to warmer areas. The nestlings survive by going into a state of hibernation. Feeding birds at this time is still important and may help prevent damage to plants in the garden. Berries and seeds have mostly been eaten and insects and caterpillars are still in short supply. Nectar with its high sugar content is an important source of food for sparrows and blackbirds who peck and shred the base of crocus and polyanthus to reach it. Pollen contains more protein and fat but when it is mature it is hard to digest. Finches and sparrows pluck both flowers and buds to extract the nectar and pollen. Non-flowering buds are also high in nutrients and are often systematically stripped by bullfinches from plum, cherry and apple. Plant sap is also a rich source of food. As the season warms up insects become more active and aphids, mites, spiders and caterpillars are available for feeding the young.