February 2006 - Contents Anniversary Celebrations God's Justice Repton, Foremark and Newton Solney Parish Churches Candlemas Celebration, 2nd February at 8.00 pm 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 Coffee Morning, Saturday, 11th February Shell Baptisms, Marriages, Funerals and Burial of Ashes Baptisms Joseph George Piper Funerals and Burial of Ashes Mabel Salt Charles Atkin Robert Robson Brenda Welsh Edna Chaffe St Wystan's News St Wystan's Annual Church Meeting & Supper, 28th February Lent Course Turkey - Classical and Christian, 14th - 28th October Book of Remembrance 'Living the Word' 'Sojourn in Sunny Siberia' Repton Mothers' Union Repton Neighbourhood Help Scheme ChildAid to Russia & the Republics St Mary's News St Mary's Church Roof Appeal: Heritage Grant Ecclesiastical Insurance Min-Jym Kym, violin, with Ian Brown, piano, Tuesday 7th February Sausage, Mash & Bingo, Thursday 16th February Repton Pre-school Annual Valentine's Ball, Saturday 18th February Thankyou Margaret, Christine, Gerald and family Lucine McLean Margaret Shepherd Repton Village and History Stamp and Deliver Beavers Christmas Tree Rainbows Celebrate Repton Enabling Fund AGM Repton Show Repton W.I. Repton Council Jottings Repton Village Society Repton Village History Group Repton and Milton Village Design Statement Milton & Foremark Village Matters Milton W.I. Newton Solney Village Matters Newton Solney W.I. Gardening Notes The Road to Damascus

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18th February 2006 1350th Anniversary Celebration (In 656 AD, Diuma was consecrated at Repton as the first bishop of Mercia.) Workshop: 'Mission Then and Now' 400 Hall, 2 - 3.30 pm led by the Rev. Ray Simpson on the lessons we can learn from the Holy Island monks who brought the Christian faith to our region. Refreshments Repton School , 3.30 - 4.30 pm Service of Celebration and Dedication St Wystan's Church , 4.30 pm with representatives of the region's churches. Preacher: Brother Damian, Vicar of Lindisfarne.

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God's Justice

The death of Selwyn Hughes was reported last month. Selwyn, described by Lord Carey as 'a giant of the faith', founded the Crusade for World Revival which produces the popular Bible reading notes 'Every day with Jesus'. I find these daily commentaries on Bible passages both wise and challenging. One recent exception, however, was a comment on the book of Job; Selwyn cites Job to support his general point that the bottom line of our relationship with God is his justice:

"Job came to believe that the whole of life was unfair ... (but) ... after listening to God outlining his greatness and majesty ... Job begins to see that any movement against God's justice is sin."

I have no problem with the justice of God, but I do believe that it is a profound mystery, and that the book of Job is about the mysteriousness of God's justice.

The story of Job is about the suffering of the innocent. That is a reality of daily life and a serious challenge to belief. It cannot be incorporated into a wider view of justice which says that if only we understood God sufficiently well we would understand God's reasons for allowing the innocent to suffer.

At the beginning of the story, God admits that Job is righteous. He says to Satan: 'Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on earth, a blameless and upright man who fears God and turns away from evil.' Satan is allowed to persecute Job, first with the loss of all his family and then with terrible boils. Not unreasonably Job cries out in anger against God for this unreasonableness. His friends take the common line that because God is just, there must be something unrighteous about Job which he has not confessed. But Job stands his ground. Not to accept Job's innocence is to miss the whole point of the story. It is not his righteousness which is at fault, but rather that his view of God is too small. In the end he has to admit that he cannot get his head round the awesomeness, the majesty and, most of all, the mystery of God.

Because the suffering, not only of the innocent but also of God's servants, is so hurtful and disturbing, we naturally look around for reasons, especially reasons that will 'let God off the hook'. But that was not Jesus' way. Confronted by the man born blind, he did not take the easy option and say that there was some inherited fault. He gave the enigmatic and mysterious reply that this man's blindness was 'so that God's works might be revealed in him.' (John 9.3)

The Bible does not give us an answer to the 'problem' of innocent suffering, but it does give us a person, Jesus, God's Son, who himself innocent, cried out from the cross, 'my God, my God, why have you abandoned me?' The Christian's answer to the suffering of the innocent is to stand alongside them, or to sit with them and receive into ourselves some small portion of the hurt they feel. This is Jesus' way. He is God's 'bottom line' for me.

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Services at Foremark, Newton Solney
and Repton Churches

Candlemas Celebration, 2nd February at 8.00 pm

The celebration of the presentation of Christ in the Temple marks the end of the Christmas or Incarnation Season.

Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple when he was 40 days old, after the current custom for rites of purification and dedication. Every first born male was considered to belong to God until redeemed by the sacrifice of turtle doves or pigeons. Our concern is not so much the rites of Jewish custom, rather the fact that this was the occasion when an old man, Simeon, met Jesus' parents in the Temple and welcomed the baby, proclaiming him to be the Saviour of his people Israel. He also prophesied that a sword (of grief) would pierce Mary's heart.

So this celebration glances back to Bethlehem and forward to Calvary - an important staging post in our journey of worship through the year. The service of Holy Communion itself ends with the congregation and priest around the font in a simple act of dedication which recalls these two foci.

We hope you will join us at St Wystan's.

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St Wystan's, Repton

St Saviour's, Foremark

St Mary's, Newton Solney

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Readers and Intercessors at St Wystan's

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Altar Flowers

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Brasses

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Altar Flowers and Cleaning Rota at St Saviour's

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The United Reformed Church

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Coffee Morning

Saturday, 11th February, at 10.30 am in the Schoolroom. Once again you will be able to restock your shelves with home-made marmalade, cakes and delicious goodies of all kinds, join in the children's game, browse the Webb Ivory stall and relax over a cup of coffee. Don't miss it.

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Shell (age 7+)

... meets on Mondays from 6.30 to 7.30 pm. New members are always welcome.

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Baptisms

Joseph George Piper, son of Stephen and Lucy of 58 Springfield Road, Repton, was baptised at St Wystan's Church on Sunday 18th December.

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Funerals and Burial of Ashes

Mabel Salt, formerly of Askew Grove, Repton, died on Saturday 17th December aged 92. A service at St Wystan's Church on 29th December was followed by cremation at Bretby.

The funeral of Charles Atkin of The Pastures, Repton, who died at home on 1st January, took place at the United Reformed Church on Tuesday 17th January, followed by cremation at Bretby.

Robert Robson of 4 Longlands, Repton, died on Saturday 7th January aged 78. A service at St Wystan's Church on 13th January was followed by cremation at Bretby.

Brenda Welsh of 7 Fisher Close, Repton, died on Wednesday 11th January aged 75. A service will be held at Markeaton crematorium at 1.45 pm on 30th January.

Edna Chaffe of 53 Pinfold Close, Repton, died on Thursday 19th January aged 89. A service will be held at St Wystan's Church at 3.00 pm on 30th January, and at Bretby crematorium at 3.45 pm.

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Mabel Salt

After settling in Repton in 1980, Mabel made many friends through her neighbours and her associates in the British Legion, the W.I., the Evergreens, Milton Village Hall, the Luncheon Club and the church Dorcas (sewing) Group. She was a lively person, outspoken and well-liked. Her sense of community was supremely expressed in the huge party she gave to friends and neighbours on her 90th birthday over two years ago.

Her family would like to thank everyone who expressed condolences or attended her funeral. Special thanks go to all who visited, took her, helped with her affairs, and who made her life more comfortable and happier. Special thanks go to the staff of Wallfields House, where she spent her last days and was so kindly cared for.

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St Wystan's News

St Wystan's Annual Church Meeting & Supper,
Tuesday 28th February at 7.30 pm in Repton Village Hall

Anyone living in Repton, and all members of the congregation, are welcome to come to the Annual Parochial Church Meeting and share in the supper which follows. Supper tickets at £4 will be available from Jan Gillham, 703340, Jan Roberts, 702159, Karen Perks, 702392, and Martin Wimbush, 703180.

The meeting starts with the election of churchwardens. Anyone who lives in the parish is entitled to vote. We then have reports on different church activities and plans for the future, presentation of the accounts for 2005 by the treasurer, and elections to the Parochial Church Council.

There are five vacancies to be filled on the PCC. You must have been on the electoral roll for fifteen days before the meeting in order to nominate a candidate, to stand for election or to vote. Application forms are available in church or from Margaret Scott, Electoral Roll Officer.

The meeting normally lasts a little over an hour and is followed by supper. It is not necessary to buy a supper ticket if you just want to attend the meeting.

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Lent Course

The chief purpose of the Church is to worship God; everything else flows from that, when we offer to God our prayer and praise, expect to hear him speak to us through his word, and listen to his message to us.

So we have elected this Lent to focus on what worship really is. We will have a chance to share our views, to listen and learn from each another, to learn from others outside through the course book 'Saints in Worship', and to explore new music and ways of worship. This is a natural progression from last year's course which explored the basic beliefs of our faith. Now we focus on the basis of our corporate life. We have the added bonus of guest speakers who will begin and end the course with us. They will bring us the sense that God is moving in his Church today in many wonderful ways, help us move forward in our appreciation of Him, and show how we can draw closer to Him in worship.

The course lasts for seven weeks, and we will start on Wednesday 22nd February at 7.30 pm in St Wystan's Church. On the first and last weeks there will only be one (Wednesday evening) session, which will be held in the church. On the other weeks there will be two sessions, one on Wednesday evening and the other on Thursday afternoon at 2 pm. When there are two sessions per week, they may be held at the Vicarage if numbers permit. Please let George Johnson, 703079, know if you would like to be on this course.

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Turkey - Classical and Christian including Istanbul, Ephesus and Cappadocia, 14th - 28th October 2006 with Rev. Peter Paine, 01283 703317 and Worldwide Christian Travel, 0845 458 8308 There are still places available on this trip. If you'd like to come, please contact Peter for a brochure.

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Book of Remembrance

We would like to place a Book of Remembrance in St Wystan's Church, to record the names and dates of village residents. We have an offer of a dedicated glass-topped bookcase, made locally, for £150, and the cost of a leather-bound book with hand-crafted calligraphy is £120. We have already received a donation of £100 towards this. If any of our readers would like to contribute towards the remaining £170 we would be very pleased; we could then buy the book and put the creation of the bookcase in hand. Please send any contributions, payable to Repton PCC and clearly marked for this purpose, to Mrs. Jan Roberts, our treasurer, at 37 High Street.

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'Living the Word'

... will meet in the Vicarage at 7.30 pm on Monday 20th February.

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'Sojourn in Sunny Siberia'

Although only recently recovered from the season of socialising and over-indulgence, in mid-January around 60 of us met over a delicious variety of food and friendly chatter for a 'Bring & Share' supper at the Village Hall.

Afterwards we were treated to a series of slides, with enthralling, detailed and witty commentary by Glenda and Norman Brewin, covering their 3 week trip to Irkutsk in Siberia. They introduced us to a part of the world most of us will never see and to some of the fascinating characters that they met. We were shown the effects of the new post-communist regime, the friendliness of the inhabitants, and were amazed that on at least one summer day in Siberia the temperature was up to 30°C! We were most grateful for such an entertaining evening.

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Repton Mothers' Union

In January, members enjoyed a very pleasant lunch at the Boot, the last function arranged by Margaret Venables as Branch Leader. At the AGM Margaret was presented with flowers and a gift to mark her many years of service. The speaker, Carol Lloyd, then explained the work done by the Health Professions Council. We now know that we should check before booking appointments directly with physios, chiropodists and dieticians. We also know what kind of concerns may arise about treatment or the behaviour of health practitioners.

Next Meeting: Wednesday 15th February in Fisher Close Community Room. Service at 2 pm. Talk at 2.30 pm. Mrs. Biddy Weston will be describing the work of the Dorcas Group. Anyone interested in church embroidery or design would be most welcome.

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Repton Neighbourhood Help Scheme

A big thank you to all those of you who have responded to our latest appeals for helpers and cooks. We now have about eight new helpers and are so grateful to you all; this is a real answer to prayer and will make such a difference when we draw up the summer rota. Thank you.

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ChildAid to Russia & the Republics

Many thanks to all who supported our fundraising efforts throughout 2005. Your generosity raised £1,750 which went to help Nina's work in Irkutsk, Joy's work in Khabarovsk (you may remember her visit and talk at St Wystan's in the summer) and also the 'Where-Most-Needed' General Fund. This last enables ChildAid to respond quickly to emergencies. Seville oranges are now on the market and the preserving pan is already on duty!

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St Mary's News

St Mary's Church Roof Appeal: Heritage Grant

A long-awaited letter has recently arrived from English Heritage with the offer of a Heritage Lottery Grant, £7,000 initially for so-called 'necessary development works', albeit with various clearly stated conditions; this to be followed by the offer of a more substantial grant, provided that all these conditions are met. Needless to say, the PCC is accepting the initial offer. If and when the offer of a further grant is confirmed, there should be sufficient funds to complete the repairs; but until then it would be unwise to presume on that offer, and any other contributions, large or small, will be very much welcomed.

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Ecclesiastical Insurance

If you insure property or possessions with the Ecclesiastical Insurance Group, you will know that until recently the annual policy renewal brought with it a voucher to contribute towards the insurance of the local church or chapel. A few years ago the issue of vouchers ceased, but premiums were lowered slightly to encourage policy holders to make personal donations from the money saved to support their places of worship.

The Ecclesiastical Insurance Group is still very competitive for domestic policies as well as for church insurance. What is less widely known is that it is a subsidiary of the Allchurches Trust Ltd, which uses any profits to fund modest donations in support of churches or other Christian institutions. Just before Christmas, Newton Solney Church received from the Trust a £200 grant towards the Roof Appeal, not a fortune but nonetheless welcome. Other recent beneficiaries have included Ripon Cathedral (£5,000 for the nave roof) and Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon (£1,000 towards repairs to the chancel parapet), indicating that St Mary's is in exalted company.

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Repton School Concerts Society Min-Jym Kym, violin, with Ian Brown, piano Tuesday 7th February at 7.45 pm The Robert Beldam Hall, Repton Music School This young artist was the first winner of the 'Heifitz Prize'. She has performed with leading orchestras and distinguished conductors. Works by Bach, Beethoven, Dvorak, Schubert and Sarasate. A performance not to be missed! ... and an extra treat for this month! The Catherine the Great Orchestra with Yurii Minenko, counter-tenor Tuesday 21st February at 7.45 pm The Robert Beldam Hall, Repton Music School The first baroque orchestra of its kind from Russia will be making a welcome return visit to Repton with a programme of arias, sonatas and concertos by Bach and Handel. Individual tickets for these concerts are £12 & £9 (concessions) Season tickets for the whole series of 9 concerts are available at £50. For further information or tickets, contact Sue Parker, 01283 702550, or Repton Music School, 01283 559319

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South Derbyshire Conservative Association Sausage, Mash & Bingo Thursday 16th February at 7.30 pm Repton Village Hall Bring your own drinks £5 (pay at the door) Enquiries to Pam Bladen, 701189

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Repton Pre-school Annual Valentine's Ball Saturday 18th February The Newton Park Hotel Tickets £25 each, all profits to Repton Pre-School. Wine may be pre-ordered at competitive prices. Meat or vegetarian dinner available. Live music. Auction and raffle - great prizes. Black Tie. Please join us for a great night out! Contact Caroline Redhead, 01283 703 026

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Thankyou

We would like to thank all those who have shown kindness and support in our sudden loss. Special thanks to everyone who has visited Margaret, sent messages of sympathy, and to all those who attended Charlie's funeral service.

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I would like to thank so many friends for the lovely cards and flowers I received with lots of good wishes for my new home in the centre of the village. After 50 years in Repton, I can truly say what a wonderful place it is.

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A heartfelt thank you to my family, friends and neighbours for your kind wishes, cards, gifts and prayers during my stay in hospital and afterwards at home.

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Repton Village & History

Stamp and Deliver

Thank you to everyone in Repton and the surrounding area who supported our Stamp and Deliver before Christmas. Thank you too to the shopkeepers and publicans whose help was so important to us, and also to Vicki and Yvonne Taylor, who helped to organise the scheme in this area.

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Beavers

As our former Beaver Leaders have left, we are now looking for new ones. If any young person is interested in becoming either a colony helper or a warranted leader, please contact me on 733056. Any Beavers who would like to come back to us would be very welcome. We would love to see you. Malcolm Creswell, Repton Group Scout Leader

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Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree with its colourful lights, which the Parish Council erected outside the Village Hall, was appreciated by many people during the Christmas and New Year celebrations - many, but not all. While the tree was in place 50 of the coloured light covers had to be replaced due to theft. This is in sad contrast to the spirit of goodwill which the tree represents.

If you have any information about the fate of these light covers, the Parish Council would be very interested. David Roberts, Chairman Repton Parish Council

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Rainbows Celebrate

On Thursday 16th February, First Repton Rainbows will be celebrating their 9th Birthday. Our unit was started in 1997 by Mrs Sheila Holmes, who has been involved in Guiding in Repton for many years. We would like to invite anyone who has been connected with the unit to join us for the celebration. We would love to see ex-Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Young Leaders, Unit Helpers, Parents and Guiders. It will be a chance to chat and catch up, and of course there will be refreshments and a birthday cake! The event will start at 5.30 pm and end at 6.45 pm. For further details, please phone Carol (Tigger) on 703991.

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Repton Enabling Fund AGM

This fund contains the money accumulated from a number of events in recent years. Loans are available to any Repton organisation to help start up new projects and events. The fund is currently being used to support two village projects.

The Annual General Meeting will take place in the committee room at the Royal British Legion on the High Street at 7.30 pm on Monday 6th March. All village organisations are invited to send a representative. For further information, contact Andy Austen on 01283 702448.

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Repton Show

Repton Show Committee is currently organising events for the coming year. We are planning to visit Malvern Show again in May, and information on this will be in the magazine shortly. Repton Show itself is planned for Saturday 2nd September in the Village Hall. The schedule will be in the May magazine.

We would like to thank Marjorie Boddice and Brian Hazelwood for chairing the Committee in recent years and for all their hard and successful work in re establishing the Show. The new Chair for the coming year is Hilary Hazelwood. We are always pleased to have new members on the committee; if you would like to join us, do contact either Hilary, 702423, or Carol Lloyd, 702410.

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Repton W.I.

After the January meeting, members now know more about the private lives of the Hanoverians, thanks to speaker, Anne Owen. Several new members were welcomed and everyone enjoyed seeing a fine array of royal souvenirs. Lunch at Marsh Farm was a great success and we are looking forward to another at Burton College's Mulberry Restaurant.

Next Meeting: Is the aroma of coffee and new bread drifting from your kitchen? Are the flowers arranged and the newspapers hidden? Then you must be selling your house - but does it work? Find out from Estate Agent, Michael Everington on Tuesday 14th February, 7.15 pm in Repton Village Hall.

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Repton Council Jottings

A review of some subjects dealt with by Repton Parish Councillors in January 2006.

• The highways authority has given permission for 20 lime trees to be planted outside the village, in the verge along the road to Newton Solney. It is planned to put them in this month.
• As all in Repton will, know a traditional Christmas tree complete with colourful lights was erected in front of the Village Hall during December. Most people enjoyed the spectacle and a number of appreciative comments have been received. Unfortunately the spirit of goodwill did not extend to everyone: the parasites in our midst could not resist the opportunity to steal 50 of the light bulbs and their covers. The scale of the theft appears to be larger than the casual pilferage or mindless vandalism that such attractions often incur. If you saw anything at all suspicious, or you have any idea what happened to the lamps, you are urged to speak to David Roberts, the Parish Council Chairman. Phone 702159 in strict confidence, or anonymously if you prefer. Alternatively email through the website, details of which are given below.
• Two planning applications did not meet with approval this month: alterations and extensions to The Flat, Bower Hill, Well Lane, and the conversion of Squash Courts, Burton Road, into an Art Gallery and Studio. The planned work in Well Lane is outside the village envelope and is out of scale with the existing building. The development on Burton Road is within the conservation area and the proposed materials are not in keeping with the surroundings; also there are concerns for pedestrian safety.
• Sundry odds and ends: A roadside grit bin for the top of Monsom Lane ~ future stoning of the footpath alongside Mitre Field ~ an Iris Bentley commemorative sign for Broomhills Lane Pavilion ~ further progress towards agreeing professional management of the historic Osier Beds in Main Street ~ plans prepared for double yellow lines and unloading restrictions outside the Post Office and Spar Shop ~ a donation of £500 from Nottingham East Midlands Airport towards the proposed Heritage Map near the Cross ~ improvements agreed to pavement kerbing at the War Memorial.
• A vacancy for a parish councillor has arisen due to the resignation of Roger Wetton. To learn more about parish council work visit www.repton-pc.gov.uk . If you would like to be considered for the post contact the Clerk, Celia Bunston, on 701309 or via the website, before the end of February.

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on 13th February at 7.30 pm in Repton Village Hall.

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Repton Village Society

'Life in the Darkness', Thursday 2nd February
John Jones will be talking to us on the wildlife of an abandoned lead mine (7.30 pm, Repton Village Hall). John has spoken to us before about the amazing life to be found underground in Derbyshire. This talk will give a view of a landscape that John knows very well but most of us will never see. Some of us would find it very difficult to undertake even if we were given the chance!

'The Trent and Mersey Canal' and AGM, Thursday 2nd March
The evening will start with Geoff Williamson talking on the Trent and Mersey Canal. Built by James Brindley, the canal has contributed greatly to the prosperity of the surrounding area, as well as greatly influencing the countryside. After a period of neglect it is now a major tourist attraction. The talk should provide us with more knowledge of an important local landmark. After a short break with cheese and wine, we will hold our Annual General Meeting to elect our officers and committee and to review and accept the accounts.

Subscriptions
A reminder that these are now due, and Wendy Bateman will be happy to receive them. We have kept the levels to the same as last year, £3.00 single and £6.00 for a household.

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Repton Village History Group

Our February and March meetings will be held at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall. Visitors are welcome.

Tuesday 21st February: 'Ticknall Paper Boy', a talk by Jim Willder
Reminiscences of the paper round which covered the area around Ticknall in the 1940's. This promises to be a fascinating talk which will stir memories of times and places that have changed over the years.

Tuesday 21st March: 'A 1950's Memorabilia Display Evening'
Anyone can take part by bringing along items which would have been found in most homes in those days, but which have disappeared with 'progress'. Items such as records, old cameras, ration books, petrol coupons, companion sets or coal scuttles from the days of open fires, old comics and annuals, etc. Please look in the attic and bring items along for others to see.

1st and 2nd April, dates for your diary
On Saturday and Sunday 1st and 2nd April (10 am - 5 pm) we are holding a Local History Weekend in the Village Hall. On display there will be hundreds of old photographs and extensive documentary archives relating to Repton, Milton, Foremark and Ingleby. More details in next month's magazine.

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Repton and Milton Village Design Statement

We have now produced the second draft of the Repton and Milton Village Design Statement (VDS), incorporating many of the comments we have received. We have also discussed the document with South Derbyshire District Council. The major changes are :

• The document is split into two sections. The first deals with items and guidelines directly relevant to planning matters. The second retains all the other information.
• The document includes further information on the relationship of the VDS to the local planning documents. The VDS is a supporting document and does not cover all the planning requirements, but only those specific to Repton and Milton.

The revised draft document is available at Repton Post Office and the Swan Inn at Milton, and can also be seen on the website at reptonvillage.org.uk. Further copies are available from Peter Rainey, 703748, or Polly Faulkner, 703436. On the back of the draft document we have provided space for your comments. These can then be left at Repton Post Office, the Swan Inn, 29 Monsom Lane or 85 Main Street, Milton. We would like all comments to be returned by 2nd March so that we can finalise the document.

We would like to thank everybody who has contributed to the document so far, and invite your comments on the revised document, as we aim to publish a document that we all support.

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Milton & Foremark Village Matters

Milton W.I.

In January at the first meeting of the New Year, Milton W.I. heard a talk given by Jean Gould of Derby Women's Centre. In February Sheila Cato will visit to talk about her 'Forty Years in New Zealand'. Members are reminded that the Annual Dinner also takes place on Wednesday 1st February.

In addition to the monthly meetings with speakers, a full programme of outings has been arranged. These are open to friends and relatives, and include theatre trips and visits to Tissington and 'Calendar Girl' country. A warm welcome is guaranteed to all new and returning members.

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Newton Solney Village Matters

Newton Solney W.I.

The latter half of 2005 saw us with a new President, Jo Parfitt. The AGM in November was followed by a light supper of Thai 'nibbles' - most enjoyable! We have continued our monthly lunches at the Mulberry Rooms at Burton College and visits to the Brewhouse. The end of November saw a full coach of members, friends and fellow Mercia Group members leave the village for Meadowhall Shopping Centre to purchase our Christmas shopping - very exhausting but again, most enjoyable.

Our talks have been varied. Members were fascinated to learn from its curator, Gill Weston, about the history of the family of Melbourne Hall, so much so that we hope to organize a conducted tour of the Hall and gardens in August, when it is next open to the public.

In October we held our Annual Lecture on a topic of local interest, funded from our Millennium Fund. This year the lecture was given by Philip Heath, Conservation Officer for South Derbyshire. He spoke of places and buildings of interest, some quite unusual, with slides both old and recent.

Our December meeting was a Christmas Entertainment by the Good Companions Stage Society, followed by a bran-tub and American Supper provided by members - just right for the festive season.

Monthly whist drives continue on the last Tuesday of each month, and we all look forward to this year's meetings and outings.

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Gardening Notes

In February you can sow hardy annuals for summer bedding in a cold green-house, but they will need some heat if it gets very cold, and later on you will have to find room to keep the young plants warm until it is safe to bed them out. Some seeds such as impatiens are slow to germinate, but most can be left till late March or even beyond, though they will flower later.

Well-established plants of the late-summer flowering clematis, C. viticella, and the July / August large-flowered clematis, should be pruned now to 3 foot from the ground. Winter jasmine too can be pruned now, once it has reached maturity. Cut the recently flowered shoots back to within two or three pairs of buds of the main branch. Make a start on pruning roses. Lift and divide large clumps of delphiniums. Watch out for slugs and snails on both these and hostas; they are nocturnal creatures, and if you want to avoid chemical controls, they will collect under a half grapefruit skin. They are also very partial to fresh putty and bran, whence you will have to collect and dispose of them. Ducks are very fond of snails.

Early potatoes can be put in a light, cool but frost-free place to chit. Place them in seed trays with the end with most shoots uppermost. From planting, early potatoes take 100 - 110 days to grow to a size for eating. Second earlies take 110 - 120 days, and main crop 125 - 140 days. Always use seed potatoes from certified virus-free stock. Sow broad beans and early peas directly outside in February, parsnips too, although I find these slow to germinate at this time and prefer to start them off under glass, transplanting them later. Early cabbage and cauliflower, parsley and lettuce can be sown now under glass. Sow celery, leaks, onions, celeriac and tomatoes in a heated greenhouse. Onion sets can be planted out later in the month when conditions are suitable. Apply a dressing of lime to areas where brassicas are to be grown.

Sweet peas can be sown now in a cold frame or directly outside. Lilies can be grown very successfully in pots; make sure the bulbs are sound. Some lilies such as L. auratum and L. regale are stem-rooting - some of their roots from above the bulb - so these need planting deeper. Take cuttings from the stools of outdoor chrysanthemums that have over-wintered in the greenhouse. Cut back the stems of over-wintered fuchsias, and repot in slightly bigger pots. Start to water begonias that have been kept frost-free.

There are about 140 species of mistletoe around the world. They are semi-parasitic, having a sucker-like attachment to host trees, which they invade, but also photosynthasise through their branches. They do very little harm to the host. You need ripe berries to grow your own and the success rate is not high, so plant plenty. Rub the berry into the bark of an apple, lime, poplar or hawthorn tree, so that the skin of the berry splits and the sticky skin sticks the seed to the bark. Alternatively you could cut a shallow flap in the bark and insert the seed underneath. It takes 3 - 4 years for any growth to be seen.

On a dry day mow the lawn, keeping the cut high. Have the mower serviced.

Snowdrops are best planted in the green (that is, after flowering) and overcrowded clumps should be divided then. There are many varieties of snowdrop. The common one is Galanthus nivalis, and the double one, G. nivalis flore pleno. G. 'S. Arnott' and G. 'Magnet' are easy varieties, and G. 'Atkinsii' is a tall-growing form. Hopton House at Hopton, by Carsington reservoir, has a fine display which is open to the public in February, and Hodsock Priory at Blyth, near Worksop, is magnificent, and is open daily from 28th January to 5th March from 10 am to 4 pm. There was a mistake in January's notes (mine: ed); the chemical for treating tree stumps is Ammonium Sulphamate.

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The Road to Damascus

As part of my degree in French and Arabic, I'm currently spending a year abroad in Syria studying with forty other students from twelve different countries at the French research institute in Damascus.

I live in the Christian quarter of the old city in Damascus. It is a fascinating maze of winding streets and alleyways, usually bustling with people and even the odd car. Our room looks out through the old city, and from the roof terrace we have an uninterrupted view across the rooftops and the courtyards filled with orange trees to the magnificent dome and minaret of the Great Mosque. In the area around the mosque, the residential streets give way to the covered souks. It's a fascinating place to wander around and I especially love the material souk and the gaudy wedding dress souk.

Damascus is claimed to be the oldest city in continuous existence, and the entire country reflects this rich historical heritage. It is particularly evident in the town of Bosra, an hour's drive south of Damascus, which has a magnificent Roman amphitheatre that was later fortified by the Arabs as protection against the Crusaders. The modern houses have been built in the middle of mosques, churches, temples, bath-houses, roads and columns dating from the Roman period onwards, and the whole place provides a rare sense of history.

We saw the complete contrast of this, however, when we visited the town of Quneitra in the Golan Heights, the region that Israel seized from Syria during the 1967 war. After the Yom Kippur war of 1973, part of the region was returned to Syrian control and a UN buffer zone created. Quneitra, a town that had originally had a population of 37,000, was returned to Syria, but before the Israeli withdrawal it was systematically destroyed until there was barely a house standing. We had to obtain a permit and have a 'guide' from military intelligence to visit the town, but it was well-worth the hassle. It was an incredibly eerie experience to stand amidst the ruins looking at the line of line of red stones that marks the beginning of the UN no-go zone and the beginning of the landmines. It was also a sad one too - especially as the occasionally bursts of gunfire audible from Israel are obvious reminders that the problems of the Middle East are far from over.

At a daily level, however, we're enjoying life here. Damascus feels like a really safe place, and as females we're all much happier going out by ourselves than in Europe. Syrians are generally very friendly people, and it's fairly easy to find people to set up language exchanges at the various cultural institutes around the city. When we're not studying, we quite often spend our evenings with friends at the restaurants in the traditional Arab houses of the old city, sitting in the courtyard or on the terrace amidst the flavoured nargila (hubbly-bubbly) smoke and eating a variety of mezze. There are also lots of cultural events at our institute and at the foreign cultural centres, from film festivals to concerts with whirling dervishes, so there's no chance of ever being bored!