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St Bees News May 2007
From the Vicar
“Human existence and everything that immediately pertains to it have the structure of hope.” Thus wrote a famous philosopher. If you think about it you'll see he was right. What is it that gives us the strength, the desire, and in some cases the courage, to get up each morning, place one foot in front of the other, and make our way into another day? What is it? It is hope. It is the hope that our life means something. It is the hope that today will be worthwhile, and perhaps even an improvement upon yesterday. If we don't have hope in our lives, we don't truly live. We may have blood coursing through our veins, but we do not have that essential “something” in us that makes our life worth living.
For some of us, if we're honest, it has been a long time since we have had hope. Something profoundly terrible has happened to us. We are in despair. Others of us recognize that our hope is fragile. It comes and goes. We go through seasons full of hope, but then something happens and hope goes away. In either case the basic problem is that our hope is only as strong as the thing we place it in.
For instance, I have spent my entire life placing my hope in getting from point A to point B in old, dodgy vehicles. My hope in this respect has always been fragile. I am used to my cars breaking down (my current car doesn't even start at the moment and is dying of multiple oil wounds to the head). My motorcycle is more reliable. But this presents a different problem that gets to the core of the human predicament regarding hope.
Though my bike is more hopeful mechanically, I cannot place the same hope in the other motorists on the road. I have to be alert. For me, the inherent vulnerability of riding a bike mirrors the vulnerability of life generally (in reality driving a car is no different, but we place hope in the apparent protection they offer). With so many variables and dangers, where do I put my life's hope?
If we link our hope to our circumstances, we will find our hope coming and going. However, St. Paul talks about a hope that will not disappoint us. If we place our hope in the love of God for us, we will know a hope that can keep us anchored through any storm. This Easter season is all about the orientation of our hopes upon the love and power of God in Jesus. We can place our hope in him because he has overcome every evil and will be with us through every danger and struggle. We can place our souls in his care.
This hope, however, must be learned. Every time our hopes are crushed we need to ask ourselves in what are we placing our ultimate hope? Some of us are crushed because we feel we have failed someone we love. Our hope in our own ability to protect and save has been shown wanting. The various things we place our hopes in shift and change, and so they need to move us to find a deeper, broader and indestructible guardian. A guardian not just of our hopes but of our souls. Some of us are tired by this constant cycle of disappointed hopes. Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Let us learn to put our hope in the love and care of God.
Lars Nowen
Priory News
Thanksgiving Service St Bees School. The School's Service on Speech Day will be held on Saturday 19 May at 10 a.m. Do join the School in this valedictory service for those leaving at the end of term.
Lent Lunches in March raised the fantastic total of £817, a record-breaking amount! This will be shared between NSPCC (St Bees Group) and OXFAM (Whitehaven branch). Sincere thanks to everyone, hosts, helpers and guests for their support and generosity.
Priory Ladies Fellowship will meet in New College Hall on Tuesday 15 May at 8 p.m. to hear Sally Kennedy's entertaining talk on “Hop-Picking”. Refreshments served. All most welcome.
Christian Aid Week runs from 13 to 20 May this year, aiming to bring life and health to the destitute through long- and short-term projects. The charity works in over sixty countries, helping people, regardless of race or creed, to tackle the causes of poverty and injustice. Please give generously to the Door-to-Door Collection. Also please remember to Gift-Aid your donation on the envelope, if possible.
Many thanks to Mrs Evelyn Barwise for creating the beautiful Easter Garden. Evelyn has been doing this for many years and it is much appreciated: it is always a special part of the Easter welcome to everyone at the Priory.
Priory Jobs or Labours of Love! Certain tasks in the Priory have been done by noble volunteers for many years, who will now hand over to others.
Sidesmen's Rotas Gill Richardson now takes over from Angela McGill, who has been compiling rotas for about 12 years, she thinks!
Fair Linen Laundering - Elizabeth Cotes has offered to clean the purificators, fulfilling a task done by Mrs Rhoda Bryan and others.
New Magazine Editor - Emma-Jane Taylor has nobly volunteered to put her computer skills to good effect by joining the Editorial Team for the Parish Magazine. Sincere thanks to you all for your dedication in taking on vital jobs.
Priory Roof and Tower Restoration
Thanksgiving Service & Celebration Party
The long awaited celebration is now arranged for Sunday 10 June. Make a note in your diaries if you wish to attend.
All who contributed to the Appeal or fundraising events are invited to attend.
The PCC are planning to hold a special Morning Service followed by a Buffet Lunch and Garden Party. Watch out for notices!
Welcome to new Organist at the Priory
Welcome to the newly appointed organist and choirmaster at the Priory - Frank Bowler - who is the successor to Ted Robertson. Frank is enthusiastic to follow in Ted’s pedalling footsteps on the great Willis Organ and to be involved in the musical worship at the Priory.
The PCC and congregation of the Priory wish to express their appreciation of Ted’s exceptional achievement in dedicating 51 years as organist and choirmaster at the Priory. This exceeds the record of Ted’s own father, 49 years, and of the historic Francis Livesey, 1887- 1934, 47 years organist at the Priory. Best wishes to Ted on his retirement and to Frank for the future.
St Bees AFC:
The Club recently held a Race Night at the Albert Hotel and raised £350 towards Club funds. The Club would like to express their thanks to Alison Agnew of the Albert for hosting and organizing the event. Thanks also to those who supported the event.
The Club also made a presentation to Neil Woodburn and his three children following the tragic death of his wife and mother last year. Neil and the boys are shortly to spend the weekend at Southport and watch their favourite team Liverpool play Wigan. They are also to undertake a stadium tour. We hope that they have a fantastic weekend and that Liverpool win (sorry, Wigan fans!).
To see how all the St Bees teams are doing, why not look at the internet “Times and Star” sports pages: West Cumberland youth league seniors “Whitehaven News”.
Bobby Charlton Soccer School: we only have 7 places left for this year's school ring 01946 823684 for details.
The Junior section will be holding their Presentation Evening at the Falcon Club on Friday 18 May at 6.15 p.m. .
Grand National Cup Final: the Club is to hold a combination of horse racing (film format) on Cup Final Day (Saturday 19 May) in the Albert Hotel, commencing at 1.00 p.m. , with the actual Cup Final being shown live on TV. Please come and support the event: it will be 'a day with a difference'! Wear your team colours!
Community First Responders
Training of the initial group of volunteers is now almost complete and they will be assessed by the Ambulance Service in mid May, shortly after which they will become active. We are grateful to St Bees School for providing us with facilities in which to train.
Much of the equipment not provided by the Ambulance Service has now been purchased - this comprises three defibrillators, as well as a training model, along with a range of equipment carried by each Responder.
One of the boxes which will contain the equipment once the group has gone active has been placed at the foot of Outrigg and the other will be placed on Barony House. In the meantime, those in the group who are qualified and insured to use the defibrillators, by virtue of their professional qualifications, have access to them.
Further volunteers are urgently needed. While we currently have about a dozen members, as most work out of the village, to ensure that at least one or two are available at all times, more volunteers are needed. Please contact Ian McAndrew (822326) or Phil Buxton (821176) or any member for information.
News from the Village School
Our school recently had an OfSTED Inspection. This was a Reduced Tariff Inspection which meant that we were inspected by one Reporting Inspector over a period of one day. This type of inspection takes place in schools where the authorities already know that the school is working well from previous evidence.
We were delighted with the Inspection report and have sent every family a full copy for them to read. This can be found on www.ofsted.gov.uk or a copy can be obtained directly from school. The report is very complimentary of the pupils, staff and parents of St Bees Village School and quite rightly so.
On a personal level, I feel privileged to be in a position where I can lead and manage such a well-performing school to, hopefully, even greater success. I feel that achieving an overall status of being a 'Good' school is a great achievement, but, in my opinion, the OfSTED inspector has made her judgements with a certain amount of caution. In my view, St Bees Village School is 'outstanding'. The children have excellent attitudes to work and their behaviour, in and out of school, matches this. Teachers and Teaching Assistants are highly skilled and very professional while giving care and support in equal measure. Parents can be relied upon for their steadfast support, for which I am extremely grateful; this has an impact on ever-improving standards. Governors make use of their considerable expertise in ensuring that pupils receive a good education.
The final page of the report is a letter addressed to the pupils which explains the results of the inspection in terms that the children can understand. I look forward to building on this great success in the future.
We have organised some residential visits to take place shortly. Our years 3 & 4 children are to have an overnight stay at Hawkshead, taking part in various outdoor activities. A visit to York has also been organised to which our Years 5 and 6 children have been invited to take part. They will be away from Monday to Friday and will be visiting places such as Eden Camp, Flamingoland, Jorvik, The National Railway Museum and many, many more. We look forward to hearing all about their time out of the classroom.
The school marked Red Nose Day recently by holding different fundraising events in school. We had a Sponsored Circuits, Cake Stall and we all came to school dressed as our hero. The day was a huge success and we will be sending over £1000 to the Comic Relief Appeal.
A reminder that the Village Fete will be taking place on Saturday, 23rd June. This is a week later than it is normally held due to the Maritime Festival taking place in Whitehaven.
Grassroots
Over 60s Club - Tuesday 8 May: AGM and Social Afternoon in the Village Hall at 2 p.m. New members welcome!
Tuesday 22 May: Over 60s Coffee Morning to be held in the Oddfellows Arms, Main Street, at 10.30 a.m. . Bring and Buy, Bric a Brac, Cake Stall & Raffle. Everyone welcome: Admission £1.00.
Congratulations to Michael and Kirsty Rowell on the birth of their son Jonas Michael, a brother for Sam.
NSPCC Coffee Morning will take place on Wednesday 16 May at the Queen's Hotel from 10.30 a.m. - 12 noon. Raffles with good prizes, and Grocery Hamper, also Bring and Buy and Produce Stall. All money raised will go to children needing help to give them happier lives.
Antisocial behaviour: there have recently been examples of antisocial behaviour in the village, and several residents have been in contact with the police. The police are very keen to learn of these occurrences, as only if they are told can they do anything about it.
Alastair Newbigging writes: After more than 40 years in St Bees I have moved to Cockermouth to be near Alison, Sean and Sam. I would like to say goodbye to my many friends in the village. It has been a wonderful place to raise a family. Please feel free to call at Cockermouth: my new details are:
2 Lodge Close, Cockermouth CA13 9ET
Tel. 01900 822524; e-mailaddress -
anewbigging@supanet.com.
The new occupants of 10 Abbey Vale are Stuart and Andrea McKay from America: please give them the same warm welcome you gave us.
Congratulations to Martin & Kay Florey and family who raised £400 with their Red Nose Day Party.
Chris Robson writes: Last summer three very polite Polish students arrived at my door enquiring about the derivation of the name “Fleswick Bay”. After a couple of telephone calls which provided no answer to the question I was forced to the defensive statement “It has to come from the Norse”. In case the question returns this year the correct answer is as follows: Fleswick comes from the Old Norse “Flesiu-Vik”. “Flesiu” or “Flesja” means “flat stone” and “Vik” means “bay”, hence “flat-stone bay”, which seems reasonable.
(German-speaking Editor's addition: “Fliese” is the modern German word for paving-stone - not many people know that!)
Sincere sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Mrs Winnie Park, formerly of Fleatham Farm. Her busy life centred around farming and the shows agricultural and horticultural but also the parish. She was a member of the St Bees WI, Over 60s and Priory Fellowship. She and Teddy always supported the St Bees and District Garden Society, with the renowned Fleatham dahlias. Many folk remember Priory Harvest Suppers with Fleatham Farm cream to accompany apple pies. Her grand-daughter Lauren's poem was a lovely tribute to a special grandma. Winnie will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.
For the Historically Minded: Those with an interest in Local History might like to remember an anniversary this month. On May 17 it will be exactly one hundred years since St. Bees saw the steamship "Izaro" come to grief. Carrying iron ore from Bilbao to Maryport, at night and in dense fog, she ran on to the rocks below Tomlin. Her bow and stern were firmly lodged, but being unsupported amidships she very quickly broke her back. It took four months for the salvage team to recover the cargo and to cut up the vessel for scrap. Sightseers flocked here to see her all though the summer; some of the picture postcards they bought still exist. What was left of the "Izaro" when the salvage men had finished - two boilers, the propeller and a good deal of assorted ironwork - they towed back into the sea. These pieces are still there, roughly opposite the lifeboat ramp, and we see them emerging from the waves whenever the tide is really low. For a fuller account and some pictures see the St. Bees website - www.st.bees.org.uk - go to Publications and then Shipwrecks.
Neil Bettinson writes: Help! Calling all Bill Oddie fans. Are you interested in wildlife gardening or nature conservation? Would you like to do something to help a community project? If so, Priory Paddock Needs You!
Priory Paddock is St Bees' own nature conservation area adjacent to the churchyard. It is administered by the Parish Council on behalf of the PCC, and more people are urgently required to help with current management issues. No experience of nature conservation is needed, and skills of all sorts are required, including desktop publishing, graphic design, and liaising with grant- aiding bodies .... as well as weeding!
If you are interested in helping in any way, please contact the Clerk to the Parish Council or Neil Bettinson, Tel. 823997.
Youth Discos: Peter & Janet Wadsworth, Mark & Nicola Richards write: We have successfully run regular Discos for Secondary school age children for the last two years. These have proved popular and have provided a much-needed facility for young people in the village.
Due to changes in circumstances we no longer feel able to continue to provide this facility. It would be a shame if these activities were to cease. We are looking for people to take over from us. We would be able to provide resources, contacts and know how along with the balance of funds.
If you are interested please contact Janet on 01946 822705 for further details.
Walk for Life with Amnesty International!
The West Cumbria Group will hold their Annual Sponsored Walk on Saturday 12 May, starting at 10.00 a.m. from Whitehaven Market Place to be launched this year by MP Jamie Reed. The route follows the Cumbrian Coastal Way to St Bees, then back via St Bees Valley and Sandwith (approx 11 miles, or 5 miles if you finish at St Bees Beach). Transport, if necessary, and refreshments offered at St Bees Lighthouse and St Bees Beach Car Park.
Do join us and be sponsored or sponsor others in a great cause. Forms from Rosalie McAndrew, Tel 822326.
Charity Concert at St Bees Priory
Egremont Rotary Club Charity Concert
Friday 4th May at 7.30 p.m. in St Bees Priory
Featuring the award-winning West Cumberland Choral Society Junior and Youth choirs plus young talented instrumental players.
All the money raised will be given to the St Bees RNLI Lifeboat Appeal.
Tickets are £4 (accompanied children free), including refreshments, from Helen Bushby (822673) or obtained on the door.
Priory Notes Extra
Whitsunday (Pentecost) Open Air Service to be held at Egremont Castle on Sunday 27 May at 3.00 p.m. Organised by Egremont and District Council of Churches. All welcome!
Wanted
Assistant Gardener for
Sleeping Child Garden at PrioryMust be skilled in the art of free style gardening.
Terms
Pay: The gratitude of those who enjoy the garden!
Hours - Whatever you can spare.
Generous holidays - 4 months from November to February inclusive.
We are an equal opportunity employer so will accept any one who is willing to wield a spade.
Apply to Ian McAndrew (822326)
Friendly neigh-bours! (Magazine has a picture of a horse by garden!)
St Bees Lifeboat News
Saturday 24 March. This year's first call out was to a fishing boat at night, which had lost all electrical power. This meant that the vessel had no lights or bilge pump etc. The vessel was escorted into Whitehaven Harbour, and all was well.
Future Fund Raising Event For New Lifeboat. Saturday 8 September. St Bees School Memorial Hall. Autumn Ball with live 7 piece band and a hog roast. Tickets on sale soon.
Claiming Date:
On Saturday 23 June at 7.30 p.m. in the Priory, the West Lakeland Orchestra will be playing a concert of summer music: the Overture in G (Boyce); Siegfried Idyll (Wagner); a concerto; and Schubert's Symphony No 6 in C (The Little). Tickets cost £8, accompanied children free. All welcome.
Rotas
May
6 Mr G. Gilmour Mr A Cotes (P) Mrs D. Brownrig
Mr J. Kennedy Evensong
Mrs S. Kennedy
13 Mrs M. Millburn Mrs A. McGill (P) Mr R. Lamb
Mrs A. Broughton Holy Communion
Mrs S. Davidson
20 Mr or Mrs J. Scurr Mrs W. Mellor (P) Mrs R. McAndrew
Mr I. Watson Evening Prayer
Mrs B. Watson
27 Dr G. Southward Dr G. Burgess (P) Mr or Mrs D. McGee
Mrs G. Burgess Evening prayer
Mrs J. Clarkson
June
3 Ms H. Cowman Mr J. Warbrick (P) Mrs D. Brownrigg
Mrs D. Warbrick Evensong
Mrs J. Crooks
From the Registers
Holy Baptism
25 March Cian Jay Sharpe, Outrigg Place
Holy Matrimony
17 March Steven Parry, Sandwith to Helen Timmins
Christian Burial
3 April Winifred Park, Seacroft Drive, St Bees
12 April Ben Shaw, Troughton House Farm, Cleator Moor
Flower Rota
May
6 Mrs D. Brownrigg 13 Mrs K. Steele
20 Mrs J. Scurr 27 Miss M. Mossop
June
3 10 Mrs S.Kennedy
17 Miss E. Lamb
St Bees School Home Fixtures - May
2 Wednesday St Bees Cricket XI v Calderbridge 6.30 p.m.
5 Saturday St Bees Cricket 2nd XI v RGS Newcastle 11.30 a.m.
9 Wednesday Senior Sports Day - Athletics 2 - 4.30 p.m.
12 Saturday St Bees Cricket First XI & U15s v Chetwynde 10.30 a.m.
16 Wednesday U15 & U13 Tennis v Keswick 4.15 p.m.
20 Sunday St Bees Cricket First XI v Calderbridge 2.00 p.m.
All spectators welcome.
Calendar for May
2 Wednesday 7.30 p.m. Walk Cumbria Supper & Discussion, Manor House
4 Friday 7.30 p.m. Charity Concert, RNLI, Priory
6 Easter 4 10.30 a.m. Family Communion
8 Tuesday 2.00 p.m. Over 60s Club AGM & Social Afternoon, Hodgetts
7.00 p.m. Area Visitors Meeting, NCH
Copydate for magazine - E-J Taylor
12 Saturday 10.00 a.m Amnesty International Walk for Life, Market Place
13 Easter 5 10.30 a.m. Morning Prayer
14 Monday Christian Aid Week starts
7.30 p.m. History Group AGM & Meeting, Robsons
8.00 p.m. Amnesty W Cumbria, Warbricks
15 Tuesday 8.00 p.m. Priory Ladies Fellowship, NCH
16 Wednesday 10.30 a.m. NSPCC Coffee Morning, NCH
17 Ascension Day TBA - See notices
18 Friday 6.15 p.m. St Bees AFC Junior Section Presentation, Egremont
19 Saturday St Bees School Speech Day
10.00 a.m. St Bees School Thanksgiving Service, Priory
1.00 p.m. St Bees AFC Cup Final event, Albert Hotel
20 Easter 6 10.30 a.m. Family Service and Holy Baptism
22 Tuesday 10.30 a.m. Over 60s Coffee Morning, Oddfellows
23 Wednesday 7.00 p.m. Friends of Priory AGM & Committee Meeting, NCH
27 Pentecost 10.30 a.m. Family Communion
3.00 p.m. Churches Together Open Air Service, Egremont Castle
Regular Events
Mondays 3.15 p.m. to 4.15 p.m. - JAFFA Club, St Bees Village School
Tuesdays Evenings from 6.00 p.m. - ViB Work Evenings, Stonehouse Farm
June
10 Sunday Priory Roof Thanksgiving Service and Celebration
Volunteer Brass & Silver Polisher(s) - Joan Hewertson has retired after 15 years polishing the Priory silver and brassware - our grateful thanks for her dedication. If interested in following her shining example, please contact R McAndrew (822326). Monthly task for one or two people.
Next Month's Editors
The June 2007 issue of St Bees News will be edited by Emma-Jane Taylor, The Stables, High House Road, St Bees who would appreciate all contributions not later than Tuesday, 8 May please.
E-mail - ej70@talktalk.net - Tel.821908
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