July 2004 - Contents Symbols Repton, Foremark and Newton Solney Parish Churches 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 Altar Flowers at St Saviour's United Reformed Church Services at the United Reformed Church Family Barbecue, Saturday 3rd July Summer Puddings Evening - Saturday 24th July Open Afternoon at the Manse, Saturday 17th July Shell Baptisms, Marriages, Funerals and Burial of Ashes Baptisms Louis Robert James Osborne Jacob Benjamin Peers Marriages Donna-Marie Germain and Andrew Seagrave Funerals and Burial of Ashes May Pinder St Wystan's News Wonderful World Workshop, Monday 23rd August Licensing of the new Vicar, Saturday 9th October at 3 pm Repton Neighbourhood Help Scheme: Luncheon Club Vicarage garden - thanks Mothers' Union St Mary's News Raise the Roof Golf Day, Tuesday 27th July Sunday Lunch at Rock House, 12th September Proms in the Park, Saturday 17th July Thankyou Mabel Salt Lesley Sue Banks and Roz Baker, garage sale Repton Village and History Rainbows Fayre, Thursday 8th July Somewhere to Sit and Reflect Repton Council Jottings NEMA Aircraft Noise Levels, Night Operations - how to complain Repton Village Society Repton Village History Group The Queen's Congratulations to Mike Innocent-Cresswell Repton WI Repton Casuals Milton & Foremark Village Matters Milton Village Hall 'Sunday Roast' Newton Solney Village Matters Tug-o-War, 10th July Gardening Notes Letter from Hannah

Symbols

The long list of Banns read in Church on Sunday reminded me that the wedding season is upon us again. The number of weddings at St. Wystan's this year has doubled, which is encouraging, and because we have no Vicar at the moment I shall be taking most of them. This is a pleasant change because retired clergy are more often asked to take funerals.

Weddings are happy occasions and I enjoy them, not just because they are joyful but also because they are full of symbols. We have the joining of hands, the rings, the tying of the knot with the stole, as well as the other things which make it a special occasion, the dress, the veil, the bouquet, the buttonholes and even the smart hats.

Of course there is the danger that the fuss over the symbols will take over. Where do we put the flowers? Will my veil stay on? When do I put it up? (The veil is a very dated symbol, coming from the time when the bridegroom saw his bride's face for the first time after he had married her. This has not been the case for centuries in our culture and in fact nowadays by the time the wedding takes place, the bridegroom has usually seen considerably more of the bride than just her face.) The core of the wedding isn't any of these symbols. Rather it is the love each has for the other and the promise of lifelong commitment that lies at the heart of the Marriage Service. But sometimes words are inadequate to express deep truths. When I am preparing couples for marriage, I sometimes ask them why they want to get married and why do they want a wedding in Church. This can reduce them to silence. It is not always easy to put our deepest feelings into words. Symbols can help us to express these inner feelings.

The same is true of our Sunday Services. They too are full of outward signs. The most important are the Bread and Wine at the Communion, the water of Baptism and the laying on of hands at Confirmation. But we have others: candles, the sign of the Cross, special clothing and the architecture of the building in which we worship. These symbols are a help to worship and I would not want a service which was just words, in a building stripped of colour and images. Years ago these symbols were a great cause of division between Christians - even a white surplice could cause great offence. Today people are more tolerant and when Princess Diana died, many village people came to my last church to light a candle in front of the statue of the Virgin Mary. But like the symbols at the wedding, these worship symbols are only a visual aid. The essential core of our religion is faith and trust in God who loves us and asks of us a changed life in response to his love.

Services at Foremark, Newton Solney
and Repton Churches

St. Wystan's, Repton

St Saviour's, Foremark

St Mary's, Newton Solney

Readers and Intercessors at St. Wystan's

Altar Flowers

Brasses

Altar Flowers at St Saviour's

The United Reformed Church

Family Barbecue

Please note change of date: Saturday 3rd July, 3pm at 5 Monsom Lane. Lots of food and a bouncy castle! don't miss it - tickets available from church members, or telephone 701581.

Summer Puddings Evening - Saturday 24th July

Mr and Mrs C. Atkin have invited everyone to their home at 2A The Pastures from 6 to 8 pm. Admission by ticket to help with catering arrangements. Donations of puddings are most welcome! Food, glorious food!

Open Afternoon at the Manse, Saturday 17th July

You are invited to meet Brian and Louisa Norris at home at 29 Cricklewood Road, Mackworth for a cream tea.

Shell

Shell (age 7+) meets on Mondays from 6.30 to 7.30pm.

Baptisms

Louis Robert James, son of Robert and Lisa Osborne of 140 Main Street was baptised at St Wystan's on Sunday 13th June.

Jacob Benjamin, son of Philip Peers and Lucy Rogers of 53 High Street was baptised at St Wystan's on Sunday 13th June.

Marriage

Donna-Marie Germain and Andrew Seagrave of Milton Road were married at the United Reformed Church on Saturday 12th June.

Funerals and Burial of Ashes

May Pinder died at Mount Pleasant Residential Home, Winshill, on Saturday 5th June. Her funeral from 73 High Street took place at the United Reformed Church on 11th June, followed by cremation at Bretby. her ashes were interred at East Bridgford, Nottingham, on 17th June.

St Wystan's News

WWW - Wonderful World Workshop

St Wystan's Church is planning to run a children's activity day on Monday 23rd August along the lines of the Easter Workshop that we run biennially on Good Friday. We were unable to organise one at Easter this year, so we thought we would offer an alternative in the summer holidays. Our theme will be 'The Creation', and we aim to enable children to learn about how the world and its creation by a loving God. There will be lots of crafts, songs and stories throughout the day plus many other activities. The day will be open to all children aged four and over and will take place in Repton Primary School.

If you are interested please contact Sue Parker, 56 Askew Grove, Repton (702550) or Karen Perks (702391).

Licensing of the new Vicar

The Revd Peter Paine will be licensed as our new Priest-in-charge at 3 pm on Saturday 9th October, at Repton. The service will be conducted by the Bishop of Repton, assisted by the Archdeacon of Derby. Anybody may attend; further details will be given later.

Repton Neighbourhood Help Scheme: Luncheon Club

Please note that the last Luncheon before the summer break is Friday, July 9th, not July 16th as stated in the May magazine.

Vicarage garden

The churchwardens would like to thank everybody who came along on Saturday 5th June to help weed, prune, mow and generally tidy up. By the time we had finished, three hours later, the difference was amazing. In fact it was so good that we thought we would like to repeat the exercise! We have picked three more dates:


and very much hope that you will feel able to come and help us again on all or some of these days.

As it happened, Peter Paine was passing through Repton on the following Monday and visited the Vicarage. he was most impressed with the transformation and asked us to pass on his thanks as well.

Mothers' Union

Past Diocesan President Madeline Goddard came to the meeting on June 16th to speak to us about her visit to Ethiopia in the summer of 2003, and in particular about the children of that country. She illustrated her talk with slides and brought examples of the beautiful embroidery for which the Ethiopian women are so noted. In a month-long stay she and her husband participated in the teaching of about 70 children, taking classes in various subjects. Many thanks to Angela Mayger for being our hostess.

Members had enjoyed a branch outing on June 15th, visiting the Peak shopping complex at Rowsley, taking lunch at High Peak College and calling in at the Flower Festival at Hartington for a cup of tea on the return journey. Very grateful thanks once more to Phil Johnson, our very helpful and patient driver. It was a shame that drizzle marred part of the journey.

Members had attended an open meeting at Church Gresley on June 1st to meet Audrey Hopkins, the new Diocesan President, and also Edna Freeman's coffee evening at Swadlincote, where the proceeds of £60 were in aid of the Newhall branch.

Mrs Ruth Smith is to speak on 'Bells around the world' at the meeting on July 21st. Hostesses: Mrs T. Guyler and Mrs A. Mayger. Intercessions: Mrs J. Scott.

St Mary's News

Newton Solney Church Roof Appeal

A 'Raise the Roof Golf Day' is to be held at Branston Golf Club on Tuesday 27th July. The charge, of £175 per team of four, includes a buffet and many prizes. For further details and/or to make a booking, contact Rebecca Prime (01283 567664).

A Sunday Lunch is to be served at Rock House, Church Lane, Newton Solney, on 12th September, 12.30 for 1pm. Admission is by ticket (£60 per person). Hot and cold buffet, Pimms on arrival and table wines included. Tables for 10 available. For tickets contact Roger Kerry (01283 703336).

Thankyou

Mabel Salt

Mabel Salt would like to thank all those people who were so kind to her during her recent illness. It was much appreciated.

Lesley

I would like to thank everyone who came to visit me at home after my stay in hospital. Thanks also for the cards, flowers, cakes and presents. Special thanks to Paul, Val, Di, Sue, Maureen, Yvonne and Ian.

Sue Banks and Roz Baker

... would like to say a big thank you to everyone who contributed to our annual garage sale in aid of the National Autistic Society. A cheque for £355 has been sent to this worthwhile cause. Thank you.

Repton Village & History

Rainbows Fayre

Don't forget the Rainbow/Brownie Summer Fayre on Thursday 8th July. From 5.00 - 6.30 pm at The Den, Mitre Drive. Stalls and games for all the family. Come along, and join in the fun, and get your free prize draw ticket.

Somewhere to Sit and Reflect

Repton Parish Council is looking to install a new bench seat, or perhaps two, at the burial ground in Monsom Lane. The furniture will need to be well secured in place and sturdily made, to guard against loss or damage. The cost involved, or a significant part of it, could perhaps be met by someone who would like to dedicate a seat, with a suitable plaque affixed, as a lasting memory of a loved one who has passed away.

Phone David Roberts on 702159 for a chat if you'd like to explore the idea.

Repton Council Jottings

Sundry items from a Parish Council Meeting held on 14 June 2004.

- There are reports of numerous bonfires being lit on land behind Pinfold Lane, and other activities there causing nuisance to neighbours. A petition from local residents has been forwarded to the District Council with a request that they take appropriate action. In such cases clear evidence is required by officials if the nuisance is to be curbed, so people affected should phone SDDC (Tel. 221000) as soon as they see anything untoward, and speak to Sallyann Toon, of the Environmental Dept, Ext. 5718, in order that an immediate investigation can be made.

- Holders of allotments on Monsom Lane who do not cultivate their plots, or make any efforts to maintain them, are to be reminded of the terms of the tenancy agreement, which includes provisions for forfeiture in such circumstances.

- The possibility of providing some Christmas lights in the village this year is to be explored; Ticknall puts on an excellent display.

- Seven Planning Applications were considered and only two gave rise to any concern: an extension to a dwelling in Meadow Close could be over-development of the plot, and the erection of a sectional building at St Wystan’s School might increase boundary noise levels. The refusal of planning consent for a large extension to a house in Burdett Way is being appealed; previous objections will be reiterated.

- The footpath across the fields between Repton and Milton has now reopened following completion of the barn conversions in Milton’s Main Street. On the subject of country footpaths, local farmers are doing a good job keeping footpaths open through crop fields this year; also the Parish Council has a programme to keep field edge footpaths as clear as possible of nettles and brambles. We have miles of local well marked paths through attractive countryside right on our doorstep, so why not make the most of them this summer? If you do encounter any problems please let the parish clerk know – contact details inside the back cover.

The next Parish Council meeting will be on 12 July at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall.

NEMA Aircraft Noise Levels, Night Operations

Now that summer is here and we are leaving windows open at night there is the possibility of broken sleep from noisy aircraft on the flight path to Nottingham East Midlands Airport [NEMA]. DHL has recently purchased another operator, together with its 727s. These and some 747s could be a nuisance to insomniacs. It is most important that any noisy aircraft movements are reported to put pressure on NEMA to publish an Airport Master Plan showing future developments at the airport and a full range of noise and air pollution controls. Telephone your complaints to NEMA, 01332 852852. It is not necessary to call at the time of the incident, later will do, providing you give times and dates.

Repton Village Society

At our last meeting, which was again very well attended, Derek Palmer regaled us with amusing and informative anecdotes on 'Derby Beneath Your Feet'. He was able to bring to light not only the history but also the different personalities involved.

Our members' meeting at Sinai Park will be over by the time the Magazine is distributed. As we have no meetings in August, our next meeting is on 9th September when the well-known speaker, Max Craven, will talk on 'Pickford House'.

Please make sure your entries for the successful 'Best Kept Garden and/or Container Competition' are in. Latecomers can ring 703748 to get their entries in.

Repton Village History Group

The next meeting of RVHG will take place on Tuesday 20th July at 7.30 pm in the URC, Pinfold Lane. As this is the last meeting prior to our August break, we are trying to arrange something a little bit different. We are thinking in terms of a short talk on a local history subject. Details have not been finalised as this article goes to press, so we will advertise it around the village. We are also currently planning a full programme for the coming winter season and our aim is to produce a range of meetings to cover many different aspects of the district's rich history and to show how people can join in and get enjoyment from it.

We have several projects under way and some have already come to fruition. It is felt that a good start has been made in encouraging further interest. We welcome visitors to come along to our meetings and, if they wish, to join in our work.

If you are interested, make a date in your Diary and come along. We do ask for a small donation to cover the costs of the meeting. Refreshments will be available.

The Queen's Congratulations

The Repton Scout Leader, Mike Innocent-Cresswell (AKA Skip), has gained the Queen's Scout Award. At the Troop meeting on 10th June a citation from the Queen was read by Divisional Commissioner Stuart Groom. He was presented with badges and a certificate. Mike will participate in the St George's Day parade at Windsor Castle next year. The Queen's Scout Award is the highest award that can be earned in Scouting. Congratulations Skip!

On a slightly less elevated level, the Scout Troop as a whole was presented with the trophy for the team making the most contribution to the Pram race at Etwall Well Dressings. This trophy was presented by Mr Ash who sponsors the race. Well done lads.

Repton WI

What do you do when your booked speaker can't come? Make use of local talent of course! Members hunted up their special wedding photos to be displayed with a wedding dress and flowers. Deputy Superintendent Registrar Pat Court told us about the responsibilities and pleasures of her job which she loves, even if she did have nine weddings one Saturday with scarcely a break for a sandwich. Then the Reverend Stanley Morris went to the piano to tell us, with illustrations, about the music and hymns chosen for weddings at his various churches.

Future Activities: Monday, 5th July: Visit to the National Memorial Arboretum and Catton Hall. Next meeting: Tuesday 13th July: "A Chair Bodger's Tale", a talk and demonstration, 7.15 pm in the Village Hall.

Repton Casuals annual awards

The Annual Awards Ceremony was held at Willington Sports and Social Club.

Ball skills sessions recommence in September on Saturday mornings. Newcomers welcome from the age of five years upwards. Further information from Bob Errington, tel 701183

Milton & Foremark Village Matters

Milton Village Hall

An inaugural 'Sunday Roast' was held in the Village Hall on 23rd May, preceded by a village walk and drink in the 'Swan'. The walk encompassed Sledge Wood and Ridgeway Farm. While the drink was most welcome and enjoyable, the roast itself was a resounding success enjoyed by more than thirty, including the whole committee, who had worked wonders preparing, cooking, laying tables, serving and eventually washing up, and leaving the place as we found it - men too! A thoroughly successful event, hopefully to be repeated annually.

Newton Solney Village Matters

Tug-o-War

There is still time to enter a team of 8 people in the tug-o-war competition on 10th July in Newton Solney. Can you put together a team to represent your pub, football team, social club, firm, family? The money we raise will be split between the roofs of St Mary's and the Repton URC Church...... ring 01283 702448 for details/entry forms.

Gardening Notes

I read reports in the papers, on a number of occasions, of impending water shortages this summer, and yet we seemed to have a lot of rain up to the end of April and the ground was consistently wet. A few weeks of dry weather in May soon altered this and, if we do have more dry spells, it will be wiser to start watering susceptible plants in good time. Some shrubs and trees definitely show signs of stress from last summer's drought already. So prioritise the watering, seeing to any plants that look unhappy, especially those under trees or against walls. Also water new plantings and seed beds, peas and beans forming pods and lettuces that may just go up to seed in dry weather. Brassicas of all kinds need a lot of water. And of course, plant containers and pots need constant attention and regular feeding if they have not been given a slow release fertiliser.

Cut delphiniums down after flowering and give them a good watering and feed and they may flower again in the autumn. Dead heading many plants will also prolong flowering: dahlias, roses and sweet peas need doing regularly. Growing sweet peas on the cordon system, removing all side shoots and tendrils and fixing them to a cane, is a laborious business but does produce larger flowers on longer stalks. However a very satisfactory crop can be produced by growing them up netting or pea sticks.

Aquilegias and Alchemilla mollis should also be dead headed to prevent self seeding. Direct sown seeds may need thinning. Autumn flowering perennials, such as Michaelmas daisies, may need staking. Check stakes on dahlias and chrysanthemums.

Semi-ripe cuttings can be taken from many shrubs and climbers. Heather cuttings can also be taken in July. Insert 3-5 cm long cuttings in a pot filled with two parts peat to one part sand. They should be put in to half their length without removing the lower leaves and left in a cold frame. Take cuttings from regal pelargoniums after they have finished flowering and fuchsias for over wintering.

Plant sprouting broccoli and both autumn and winter cauliflowers. Sow beetroot, carrots, spinach, lettuce and spring cabbage. Check brassicas for cabbage white caterpillars. Keep feeding tomatoes and stop cordon grown tomatoes when they have set five or six trusses. I have planted French marigolds amongst mine in the greenhouse this year. It is said to inhibit aphids.

Plant autumn flowering bulbs - colchicums and autumn flowering crocus. Prune Philadelphus, Weigelia, Deutzia, Kolkwitzia and Buddleia alternifolia and globosa after flowering. Also rambling roses and any once only flowering roses. Prune black currants after fruiting, taking out one third of the old shoots and cut out raspberry canes after they have finished fruiting, cutting them down to ground level.

I think it has probably been a good season for bird nesting and there should have been no shortage of food but we seem to see far fewer birds now as the young are mostly taken out into the surrounding country. Squirrels were short of food last winter, finding few nuts, acorns or beech nuts but they started digging up my Jerusalem artichokes, which I have never seen them do before. Now I am finding artichokes growing all round the garden, for any bit they leave will germinate.

Letter from Hannah

Hannah Short and friends are obviously enjoying their gap year with Latin Link in Argentina, and not only the holiday bit, described in last month's Magazine. Here is an account of their earlier months in Vela - 'in her own write'.

15 March
HI everyone!

Sorry it's taken me ages to get to an internet thingy but its been quite busy with all the beef eating and stuff.

Right yeah, Argentina is very very cool - it's really green, more of a tepid green than a lush green. Yeah and there are LOADS of cows. They're everywhere ... We're staying in a little village of 1500 people called Vela which is literally in the middle of no where - the nearest main place is Buenos Aires which is 6 hours away on the bus. The people here are really chilled - everyone kisses everyone when you greet them. The people are great though, you can't go to the bread shop without having a 20 minute conversation with the bread lady or without them showing you their lifetimes' worth of photos. Everyone's really friendly and we all feel really at home. All the kids that randomly come round are great - I wanna keep them! They play quite disturbing games like 'oooh, lets catch the gringos and pin them down and grab them and pretend to them and fill their mouths with grass'.

We're staying with this Pastor dude called Hector and his wife Sandra. He's the funniest Argentinean I've ever met. The other night I walked out of the outside toilet and he was just hanging by his hands out of his first floor bedroom window - I figured that this must be a normal thing for Argentinean pastors to do at night - I dunno, maybe that's how he prays. Their kids Pricilla and Andres are soooooooo cute: Andres thinks he's spider man.

The six girls are all staying in a massive room attached to the church, which is now infested with dirty clothes, and the guys' room - well that has the most evil recipe of smells I have ever smelt in my whole life. I'll introduce you to the team - Si and Bianca are our leaders. Si likes to pour glasses of water over cats, and Bianca likes to paint her face and pretend to be Pavarotti (this is worrying as they are 25 and 28). Clare is the aunty 'cos she's 21 and she makes good beef. Mmmmm. All the rest of us are gap year people. Tom looks like Harry Potter and does the best Gollum impression I've ever heard - he is BETTER than Gollum, seriously. Phil (or El Pepino, the cucumber) has so far broken all of our hammers, Matt likes to talk about black holes and light bulbs, Jo... is Jo, Chloe is my fellow alarm clock snooze partner, Rach is a vegetarian, but very violent for a vegetarian as she enjoys killing ants. The project we're working on at the moment is sanding doors (oh glee) and painting and replastering and re flooring and knocking down walls etc; we're just renovating a lot of the pastor's house. It is fun though as we sing Peter, Andre and the Spice Girls to pass the time, and of course a bit of Bo Rapsody.

The animals here are really weird. We have a dog here called Luli which we think has serious psychological problems: at night it lurks in the dark waiting for you to emerge from your room and go to the loo. When you step outside she pounces and proceeds to nibble your feet. I fear for my toes at night. The other morning she was trying to eat Hector's (the pastor) pet chicken, so I had to run around the garden in my pyjamas trying to catch the chicken while Sandra pinned the dog down. After chasing the chicken into the bathroom and running around in circles a few times (just to make the chase more exciting), I managed to pin the chicken against the loo and save it from the Jaws of Death. Speaking of toilets, two of them are currently blocked which means that all ten of us plus Hector's family are using the same loo. Luckily there are two showers, but they are so hot that you come out with third degree burns (but that's only if you're bobo enough not to realise that there's a cold tap).

Oh yeah, I've been bitten all over by little bugs - they eat me when I'm not looking. It's so rude.