St. James’PARISH MAGAZINE
www.christle
ton.org.uk
January 2011
St. James’ Christleton Parish Magazinepage 2
Sun 2 8.00 am Holy Communion 10.45am UNITEDVILLAGENEWYEARSERVICE-StJames RevdBrianHarrisandRevClareHeald 12noon BaptismofPhyllbieKenny FollowedbyRefreshments 6.30pm Evensong PrayerLinkRoad:VillageRoad NeighbourhoodLink:JeanCresswell
Mon 3 10.45am HolyCommunionatTarvinCourtNursingHome 11.20am HolyCommunionatOaklandsNursingHome Wed 5 10.45am UnitedCommunion-RevCanonPerisWilliams Fri 7 6.30pm ChoirPractice
Sun 9 8.00 am Holy Communion -Revd Gill Hibbert 10.45am FamilyService-DrWayneMorris 4.30pm CHRISTINGLEATCHRISTLETON–RevCanonPerisWilliams PrayerLinkRoad:WhitchurchRoad,Roadside&WhiteLane NeighbourhoodLink:JanetMilton,NevilleMeredith&NormanGoodwin
Mon 10 2.00pm Mothers’Union-ParishHall 7.30pm StewardshipCommittee-ParishHall
Tues 11 7.30pm Pastoral&OutreachCommittee-Vestry Wed 1210.45am HolyCommunion-RevdGillHibbert followedbyrefreshments 11.30am HolyCommunionatBirchHeathLodgeNursingHome
Fri 14 6.30pm ChoirPractice
NB: Last date for contributions for February Parish Magazine to Janet Milton (335469). Earlier if possible pleaseYou can attach your Word document and e-mail to: [email protected]
JOTTINGS FOR JANUARY
January, 2011 page 3
Sun 16 8.00 am Holy Communion - Revd Brian Harris 10.45am ParishCommunion-RevdJohnCarhart 10.45am SundaySchool-ParishHall 6.00pm TheCrewYouthGroup-ParishHall 6.30pm Evensong-DrWayneMorris PrayerLinkRoad:Woodfields NeighbourhoodLink:JoyceRydings Wed 1910.45am HolyCommunion-RevdBrianHarris followedbyrefreshments Fri 21 6.30pm ChoirPracticeSun 23 8.00 am Holy Communion - Revd Canon Chris Samuels 10.45am Matins-DrWayneMorris followedbyrefreshments 10.45am SundaySchool-ParishHall 6.00pm TheCrewYouthGroup-ParishHall 6.30pm EveningCommunion–RevdCanonPerisWilliams PrayerLink:BadgersClose NeighbourhoodLink:JuneHulme
Wed 2610.45am HolyCommunion-RevdCanonChrisSamuels followedbyrefreshments
Sun 30 8.00 am Holy Communion - Revd Canon Peris Williams 10.45am Matins-RevdBrianHarris 10.45am SundaySchool-ParishHall 6.30pm SongsofPraise–RevdCanonPerisWilliams PrayerLink:ThoseworshipingatStJamesfromoutsidetheParish NeighbourhoodLink:AreaSecretaryAnneCollier
Mon 31 7.30pm PCCMeeting-ParishHall
Front Cover:Frontispiece to the Authorized King James Bible first published 400 years ago in 1611
St. James’ Christleton Parish Magazinepage 4
SinceearlyinNovember,theviewfromourkitchenwindowhasbeenenhancedbyChester’s‘bigwheel’.Youmightsay that itdominates theview,since it towersover the
castle barrack block, Agricola’s Tower and, that sign of ouraffluenceandprogress, theAbodebuilding. By the timeyoureadthis,thewheelwillbereadytomoveon,andourformerviewwillberestored.Manypeoplewillhavetakenthetripsky-wardtoenjoythesplendidviewsofthetown,BeestonCastle,HelsbyHillandLiverpoolCathedral;thathasnodoubtaddedtotheirpleasuresovertheChristmasfestivities.Butthewheelisaverytransientobjectinourlittleworld.
Bycontrast,St.Matthew’sstoryof thevisitof theMagi tothelowlybirthplaceoftheinfantJesus,tellsatimelessandenduringtruth.Thejourneyofthesesages,whichhasbeenaninspirationto artists and poets alike, is our journey too. From the verybeginningsofhumanexistence,humankindhassoughttofindthat which lies beyond our every-day lives, that which givesmeaning,understandingandreasontoourpresenceinaworldofthings,ofjoysandofpain.ForT.S.Eliot’sMagithejourneywashard:
‘The ways deep and the weather sharp, The very dead of winter.’
Epiphany
January, 2011 page 5
Perhapsyourjourneyhasbeenhard.ItisoftendifficulttofindtheChristChild;wehavethesamedistractionsandoftenthesameconfusionsasSt.Matthew’sWiseMen,findingagrandworldlyHerodinsteadofahumblelovingSaviour.
Butourhopeisin‘thewordmadeflesh’.TheChristianmessageof‘Godwithus’meansthatourjourneyisguidedbytheveryoneweseek.TheChristmasmessageisenhancedbytheMagi’sstory.Godcameintotheworldandthosewhosoughthimfoundhim!Weareassuredofasuccessfuloutcometoourtravelsoffaith,oursearchfortruth,ourjourneyofdiscovery.
WecelebratetheEpiphanyonSunday,January2ndthisyearwiththeVillageUnitedService.Therewerenewourcovenanttocontinueourjourneyoffaith,notspinningaimlesslythroughtimeandspace,butprogressing,hand inhandwith the livinggod,presentingourgiftstohisworldinthebuildingofaKingdomofmercytruthandlove.
AhappyNewYear’sJourneytoyouall.
Brian Harris
St. James’ Christleton Parish Magazinepage 6
PEOPL
EINTHENEW
S
DavidCummings
Richard Nicholson
Richardhasannouncedrecentlythathewishestostepdownascomplierofthismagazine.Hehasbeeninvolvedinthisroleforover14years,andasDavidBullhascommentedbroughtusoutofthedarkagesandintothe21stcentury.Richardistheultimateprofessional,andprobablythemostgiftedpersonin thevillagewithsuperbpractical knowledgeof thedigitalageandinternet.Heisveryquietandunassuming,buthas
awickedsenseofhumourandis an exceptional writer whenhe contributes the occasionalarticle to themagazine. Iwishtopaytributetohimonbehalfofeveryone,foralltheworkhehasdonevoluntarilyeverymonthofthe last fourteen years, givingthe magazine its new modernimageandreceivingenormoussuccess for theParish throughhiswork.Thatthemagazineisregarded as being one of the
bestofitstypeisentirelydowntohim,andhisexpertisewillbemissed.HoweverhewillbecontinuingtoworkontheParishwebsite which again is one of the leading websites in thecountry,andhasbeenvisitedbytensofthousandsofpeople.Ifyouhaveaccesstoacomputer,pleaselookatit,andsharewhatisasuperbsite.Youcanevenreadthemagazineinfullcolour,seephotographsoflotsofvillageevents,andfindoutaboutvirtuallyeverythingthatishappeninginthevillage.
Visitthesiteatwww.christleton.org.uk.ThanksRichardforallyourhardwork.
January, 2011 page 7
Altar Frontal in memory of Dr Barry GilliatAt the conclusion ofMatins on Sunday 28thNovember Dr WayneMorris received anddedicatedabeautifulnewpurple alter frontal for StJames’ from Mrs BettyGilliat and her family, inmemory of her husbandDrBarryGilliatwhodiedlast January. This newalterfrontalisawelcomeaddition to the collectionwehaveatStJames’andwillbeusedinAdventandfromAshWednesdayuntilthedaybeforePalmSundayinLent.
Charles Clubb Awarded Gold Award by the RSCMDuringMatinsonSunday28thNovemberCharlesClubb,amemberofthechoir,waspresentedwiththehighestawardforachorister,theR.S.C.M.GoldMedal, bySteveRobertsDirector ofMusic andChoirmaster.ThecitationfromtheRoyalSchoolofChurchMusicreads;
Charles Clubb has attained the highestpossible standards in loyalty, industry andmusicianshipasaChorister. In recognitionofhis exemplary conduct & outstanding work,the R.S.C.M has the pleasure of presentinghim with the Gold Award. This is the thirdandlastawardthatCharlescanachieveafterpreviously gaining the Dean’s and Bishop’sawards, which were presented to him in thelasttwoyearsatChesterCathedral.TheGoldawardisverydemandingandrequiresagreatdeal of studyof bothmusic and theplaceofmusicinworship.OnlytwootherchoristersinCheshirehavethisdistinction.CongratulationsCharlesfromyourfriendsatStJames’.
St. James’ Christleton Parish Magazinepage 8
A FAIR THANK YOUIwishtothankthosewhomadecakesforthecakestallattheChristmasFair,andespeciallyJanetBrownforherjammaking.Wedidverywell–just£4lessthanlastyear.
Betty Dunning
CALLING ANN HOWELLSCHRISTMAS FAIR – Raffle
AraffleticketinthenameofAnnHowellswasdrawnintherafflebutunfortunatelywedon’thaveacontactnumberforthislady.IfshewouldliketocontactKeithSmallson335688hewillmakesuretheprizeisdeliveredtoher.
CONGRATULATIONS
CongratulationstoRubyWolfendalewhowillbe90on29thJanuary.
Bestwishesfromallherfriendsinthevillage
VACANCY!Computer literate? – Your Magazine needs you!
Anopportunity has arisen for someone willing totakeovertheroleofmagazinecompiler.Themajorqualificationsforthisrewardingvolunteerworkare
adequate/goodcomputer skills, coupledwithasuitablecomputer–aswellasaflairfor“publishing”.
Richardhaskindlyofferedtogivewhateverguidanceortuitionisneededtoenablethenewcompilertotakeover.Ifyouwouldliketoconsiderthisrareopportunitytojoinour magazine team, please do not hesitate to contactRichardNicholson(336004)directlytofindoutmore–orspeakwithyoureditorDavidBull(332234).
VILLAG
ETA
LK
January, 2011 page 9www.christleton.org.uk
Onbehalf of The Children’s Society, a very big Thank Youto all Box Holders and everyone who contributed towardsBoxOpening 2010.The grand total to date is £1087.19!A
wonderfulresult.
Throughoutthecountry£2millionisraisedannuallyinthisway.Yoursmallchangereallydoesmakeabigdifference.ChildrenhereintheNorthWestaresupportedby theSociety throughvariousprojects.Theyinclude:TheLiverpoolAccommodationprogrammewhichhelpstoprovidepermanenthomes foryoungpeopleaged16–18,whothroughbeing in localcareorbecauseof troubleathome,havetosetupontheirown.SafeintheCityManchesterworkswithchildrenandyoungpeoplewhorunawayorgomissing fromtheirhomes inManchester and Salford. It also supports unaccompanied asylumseeking children and refugee children to access education. TheChidren’s Society in Northwich works with teenagers aged 13-16toovercomeanti-socialbehaviour.PleasedocheckTheChildren’sSocietywebsiteatwww.childrenssociety.org.uk formoredetailsontheseprojectsandotherworkinourarea.
Thank you for your continuing generosity. If anyone would like tobecomeaboxholderpleasedoletmeknow.
Lesley Morgan
BOX OPENING 2010
St. James’ Christleton Parish Magazinepage 10
NAT
URENOTE
S
DavidCummings
Thecoldsnapofthelasttwoweekshasbeenexcellentforbirdwatchersinandaroundthevillage.Therehavebeenamazingsightingseverywhere,withthe
appearanceoftherarewaxwingsreportedinstoppresslastmonthbeingthehighlight.Twoorthreewereseenon
several occasions atThePark,butagroupof twenty were seennear the PrimarySchool in QuarryLane. These birdsfeed almost entirelyon rowan berriesand are so unafraidof human activity,that they will sit andfeed while they are
watched.Theyarenicknamed the “supermarket birds”,asthatiswheretheyareusuallyfoundwhentheyarriveintheUK,asalmostallmodernsupermarketdevelopmentshavelargenumbersofrowantreeswiththeirthousandsof bright red/orange berries planted around their carparks.Thewaxwingsoftensitlikegroupsofcandlesonthese trees, oblivious of the people going about theirshopping, not even being put off by the regular beepsofabusypedestriancrossingasatSainsbury’sinCaldyValley.Bramblingandblackcaps have beenfeedinginBirchHeathLane and SandrockRoad,whilstapairofbeautiful goldcrestsappeared in BridgeDrive.Thesetinybirds,the smallest specieswehaveintheUK,are
January, 2011 page 11
greenincolourbuthaveabrightorangecrestontheirheads.Usuallyinsect feeders on the tops of conifers, they will sometimes comedowntogroundlevellookingforfoodiftheweatherisveryicy.Otherspeciescomingintoourgardenthismonthincludedrobin,wren,coaltit,largefamilypartiesoflongtailtits,starlingsandhousesparrows.Oneofmymanyinformantsfromthevillageisdelightedthathehasapairofroostingbluetitsvisitingabirdboxfittedwithanestcameraattachedtohishouse,andsaysthattheyarriveeachnightandthenhuddledownforwarmthduringthiscoldspell.Fieldfareandredwing,the colourful winteringthrushesarecurrentlyina feeding frenzyon theberriesof thehawthornbushesliningthecanal.Sometimestheyappearonthetopsofbranches,butarelikelytoflyoffasthey are approached.Others are feeding intheleaflitteratthebaseof the hedge and staystilluntilhumandangerhaspassedby.Our family ofmute swans flewoff as soonas thecanal frozeover,andarealmostcertainlysomewhereontheouterDeeMarshes.MylastcountattheendofNovemberresultedinover120wildswansbeingrecordedthere.Mostareincomingmigratoryswans from Iceland&Russia,whooperandBewick’s respectively.Iestimatethat therewere inexcessofeightywhoopers,almostallmatureadultswithjustafewcygnets.Therestoftheflockfeedingonwhatappeared tobeafieldof leekswere tenmuteswans, theremainderbeingthesmallerandrarerBewicksfromRussia.
St. James’ Christleton Parish Magazinepage 12
ONREMEMBRANCE1.WarandPeace
Once intoadulthood,evenduringour teens,whathappenedearlierinourlifetakesitsplaceinourmemory.Itshapesouremotions.Eventsinourpastsortthemselvesoutandmould
ourattitudesforexampletowardsfamilylife,relations,education,ourchosencareer,andmoney.Thenatureofourrearing,formanyofusintheChristianChurch,becomesparamounteveninoursubconscious.
RemembranceisneverstrongerinthemindsofBritishpeoplethanonRemembranceSunday,thesecondSundayinNovember.Whetherin church services or atWarMemorials, in familieswhohave lostlovedonesorinarmybarracks,werememberwithgratitudeindeepprayerthosewhohavegiventheirlivesinwarandinconflictinthebraveserviceoftheircountry.Wealsoprayforthewoundedandfortheir healing, for their familiesand friends, somanyyoungpeopledeeplyandrecentlyaffectedbyIraqandAfghanistan.
RemembranceSundaythisyearcoincidedwiththe70thanniversaryoftheseriousbombingthatnightofthecityofCoventrybytheGermanair-force.Theleft-overbombsweredroppedonthecityofmybirth,Peterborough,wheremymothernursedfive-montholdtwins(oneofthemwasme)atthewindowasayoungNazipilotglidedoverourbackgarden.Asafire-watchermyfatherracedtothecitycentretorescuepeoplefromtheflames.
SoshouldthepeopleofCoventryandmyfamily“remember”harderthanmost?Shouldwebebitter?Myparentsweren’t.
In the last fewyears Ihavebecomea littleuneasyaboutsomeofthe excessive media presentations in the weeks leading up toRemembrance Day and, dare I say, some of the rather jingoisticsentimentssurroundingit.ApparentlyIamnotaloneandthisyear
January, 2011 page 13www.christleton.org.uk
(amongothers) sixmilitary veteransof recent conflictsevenwroteto one national newspaper about that. Their message was thatreverenceforthepastandforthewardeadwasabsolutelyright,butisn’t itabout timemoreofus thoughtabout the lessonsofwar forthefutureandintheirmemoryplacemoreemphasisonpeaceandreconciliation?“War?NeverAgain”waswrittenontheirhearts,theysaid.
CoventryCathedral ofall placeshasbeen in the forefrontof suchoutreach,sayingtoGermancitieslikeDresden,whowerealsobadlybombedthatweshouldalllearnfromthetragediesoffightingeachother. Ultimate world peace, the Cathedral’s message, is not anobjectivewe should all give upon, and certainly not theChristianchurch.
“BuildBridges,LiveinForgiveness”wasthehugemottodisplayedasthebeautifulbaroqueFrauenkirche inDresden,destroyed in1945,wasrebuiltwithsomuchgoodwillanddonationfrommanyBritons.Appeasementisnotinthedictionarythere,positivereconciliationis,andincapitalletters.
The Dean of Coventry Cathedral, himself a visitor to Dresden,preachedtheliveradiosermonfromtheCathedrallastRemembranceDaywithpreciselythatsentiment.Ashedidso,camenewsofthereleaseofAungSanSuuKyi from15yearsofhousearrest inhernativeBurma.Herbravemessage,evenatrisktoherownfurthersafety from her opponents in government? “Further conflict andviolencewillnotsolveBurma’sproblems;reachingout toso-calledenemieswill”.Bravewords.
PleaseGod,itseemstherewillalwaysbewar,butcanwebebetteratpeace?
John Carruthers
St. James’ Christleton Parish Magazinepage 14
Left out in the cold
Amember of a certain church, who previously had been attendingserviceseachweek,stoppedgoing.Afterafewweeks,theministerdecidedtovisithim.Itwasachillyevening.Theministerfoundthe
manathomealone,sittingbeforeablazingfire.Guessingthereasonforhisminister’svisit,themanwelcomedhimwarily,ledhimtoabigchairnearthefireplaceandwaited.Theministermadehimselfcomfortable,butsaidnothing.Inthegravesilence,hecontemplatedtheplayoftheflamesaroundtheburninglogs.
After someminutes, theminister took the fire tongs, carefully pickedupabrightlyburningemberandplacedittoonesideofthehearthallalone.Thenhesatbackinhischair,stillsilent.Thehostwatchedallthisinquietfascination.
Astheone loneember'sflamediminished, therewasamomentaryglowand then itsfirewasnomore.Soon itwascoldanddeadanddark.Notawordhadbeenspokensincetheinitialgreeting.Thetwomensatoninreflectivesilence.
Alittlewhilelater,justbeforetheministerwasreadytoleave,hepickedupthecold,deademberandplaceditbackinthemiddleofthefire.Immediatelyitbegantoglowoncemorewiththelightandwarmthoftheburningcoalsaroundit.Astheministerreachedthedoortoleave,hishostsaid,"Thankyousomuchforyourvisitandespeciallyforthefierysermon.Ishallbeback
OurRoseQueenNatashaBeachattheChristmasFairintheParishHallon27thNovember,2010
January, 2011 page 15
HISTO
RYFILE
DavidCummings
Royal Arms in Parish ChurchesPart 1
The Royal Arms, which hangs on the north aisle of StJames’Churchhasan interestinghistory.Thisparticularbeautifullydecoratedboard,paintedbyRandleHolme,a
heraldic painterto the King wholived in LowerBridge Street,was placed inthe church bythe parishionerswanting towelcome thereturn of theM o n a r c h ythrough CharlesII in 1665. Theyhad suffered atorrid timeduringthe EnglishCivil War, hadseen their King,Charles I, comethrough thevillage in 1642after raisinghis standard inNottingham, andthen probablywitnessed someof the actionof oneof the lastmajor battles of his reign, his defeat on thebattlefieldatRowtonMoor,andintheareaaroundthevillage.Itisalmostcertainthattheywouldn’thavewantedtheParliamentarianArmygarrisonedatTheOldHall,andintheChurch,andyethadto provide accommodation, food and probablymen,when thearmytookupitsadvancepositionoverlookingthecity,inthefinalphase of the battle forChester. Charles had come to the cityin the vain hope that 10,000 of his troopswould arrive in theport,fromIreland,tohelphiminwhatwasbecomingarearguard
St. James’ Christleton Parish Magazinepage 16
action against the stronger, and by this stage of the war, well organisedParliamentarianArmy.SirWilliamBreretontheParliamentarianCommanderwhohadtakenupresidenceatTheOldHall,wassupportedbyalargenumberoftroopswhowerebilletedinandaroundthechurch.
WhenIfirstcametoChristletonIwastoldthatatunnelconnectstheOldHallandChurchbywayof theManorHouse.There isstillevidenceofa tunnelaround theOldHall, although not in the direction of the church.ThemainactioninthevillageitselftookplaceonJanuary24th1645.ApartyofRoyalistswerecomingoutofthecitytoattackthegarrisonatChristleton,butsoldiersoftheParliamentstationedontopofthechurchtowersawtheopportunitytoambushthemastheyapproachedthevillage,somewhereneartheOldGlassHouseonWhitchurchRoad.TheRoyalisttroopssufferedconsiderablelosses,and theyhurriedly turnedback towards thecity.AParliamentarianwriterofthe timesaid that thesecommonsoldierswereChesterMen, shoemakers,cobblers, tailors, barbers etc. In February 1645 a new Royalist force wasmobilised,andPrinceRupertandhisbrotherMauricearesaidtohaveburnedChristletontothegroundinarevengeattack,drivingtheParliamentariansoutof thevillage.HowevershortlyafterwardswhenPrinceMauricehad left thearea,thesiegeofChesterwasrestoredandChristletonreestablishedastheadvanceheadquartersofSirWilliamBrereton.
TheKingarrivedinChesterfromChirkon23rdSeptemberwithatroopofLifeGuards.His cavalry ledbySirMarmadukeLangdaleweregroupedaroundSaighton.At the same time themain Parliamentarian force led byColonelPoyntz approached the area from the Whitchurch direction. The Battle ofRowtonMoor,whichwasinfactalargenumberofsmallskirmishes,withthelargestofthematRowton(onlandbetweentheA41andRowtonHallHotel),then tookplaceonSeptember24th.TheKing is said tohavewatched thebattle from theCityWalls, but in factwhat he sawwas the remnant of hisarmy coming back towards theNorthGate,which theRoyalists controlled.Asaconsequenceoftheseeventswhichtookplaceoveranumberofyears,thepeopleofChristletonweregladtobeabletorebuildtheirhomesandre-establishvillagelifeagain.Theylikethecountryatlarge,eventuallybecamefedupwithOliverCromwellandhisCommonwealthrule,andwhenCharlesII was invited to return to the Country from exile, every parish includingChristletonwasinvitedtodisplaytheRoyalArmsasthanksgivingfortheKing’ssafe return,andalso for therestorationofPrayerBookworship.TheRoyalArmsweseeatStJames’werethendulypaintedbyRandleHolmesIIandhungin1665.
Next Month.Part2ThestoryofRoyalArmsafterHenryVIII.
January, 2011 page 17
SUNDAY SCHOOL HeldintheParishHallfrom
10.45am–12.00nooneachSundayduringterm-time,exceptwhenFamilyServiceisheldatStJames.Forfurtherdetailsplease
contactBereniceHogg,336779.
CHRISTLETON METHODIST CHURCH
WemeetforInformalPrayersandaSimpleLunchonthefirstThursdayofeachmonthat12noon.Allwelcome.Thereisnochargeforthelunchbutadonationtocovercosts
wouldbeappreciated
WHAT’S ON THIS MONTHCHRISTLETON W.I.
MeetsonthesecondWednesdayofthemonthat7.15pmintheParishHall
NextMeeting12th January
New Year’s Party
CHESTER FLOWER CLUB
MeetingsareheldinChristletonParishHallonthe3rdWednesdayofthemonthat1.30pm.Detailsofanyeventscanbeobtainedfrom
theSecretary,TrishPollard
CHRISTLETON LOCAL HISTORY GROUPChristletonPrimarySchoolinQuarryLane
Wednesday 26th January7.30pm
Allwelcome.Subject; Thomas Brassey
Speaker.DougHaynes.CheshireLocalHistoryAssociation
“ThomasBrasseywasbornasatenantfarmer’ssonatManorFarm,Buerton,atownshipintheparishofAldford.Thefarmhasnowgone,buthebecamethegreatestrailwaybuilderintheworld,buildingoneinthreeofthemilesofrailwayinthiscountry,andoneintwentyoftherailwaysinthewholeoftheworldduringhislifetime.Heemployedupto100,000menattimesandIbelievesuchapersonshouldbebetterknown,particularlyinthisareaofhisbirth"
St. James’ Christleton Parish Magazinepage 18 www.christleton.org.uk
Please Join us for a special
CHRISTINGLE CELEBRATIONSt. James’, Christleton
Sunday January 9that 4:30pm at St. James’ Church, Christleton
Christingle originated in the Moravian church in 1747
January, 2011 page 19
Attheageof11Isawabook“ThePictorialBookofKnowledge”inaBurnleybookshop.Iwanteditsomuchbutdidnothavethefiveshillings.IlivedinReadandinthevillagewasagirlcalled
Sallywithabiggarden.Sobigithadroomforawishingwellwhichsheintroducedmeto.IwishedforthatbookandtodayIstillhaveitontheshelf.Oneofmyearliestmemoriesofaloveofallthingsprinted.
Buttobeabletoprintoneselfwasnotjustawishbutaneed.Myfirstintroductiontoprintingwasusingatypedstencilandalinenflatbedonwhichyousqueezedsomeblackinkandspreadwithasqueegee.AfilthyjobwhichthankfullywassoonreplacedwithasecondhandRoneoDuplicatormachine.Turning thehandlewasamonotonousjobbutlifeimprovedwhenitwaseventuallyreplacedwithanelectricdrivenmodel.
My father used to write a weekly column called Brand X for TheDeesideAdvertiser.ApublicationproducedbytheFewsterbrothersonDeeside.Iwasamazedathowhecouldregularlycomeupwithideastowriteabout.Thiswentonforyearsbutsadlynocopiesweresavedformetoreadnow.HehadhislocalfollowingandoneparticularanonymousliterarystalkerwhoIassumedwasaladywhousedtohoundhimwithherwitteringsunderthenameofFlower.
IhadbeenproducinglistsofantiquemapsandprintsontheRoneoduplicatingmachineformycustomersbutfeltthataprintedversionmightgiveabetter imagetothebusiness.TotheFewsterbrothersIwentwithmytypedcopy.Themapsandprintsweresentawayforprintingblockstobemadefortheillustrations.Theprintwassetusingalinotypetypsettingmachine.Thiswasahugeandnoisycontraptionwitha90characterkeyboardthatwasabletoproduceawholelineofmetaltypeasasinglepiececalledaslug.Arevolutionarymachineinthehistoryoftype.Atthistimepublicationswerestillbeingsetbyhandwitheverymetalletterandspacebeingaddedindividuallytoaprintingframe.
A Love of All Things Printed
St. James’ Christleton Parish Magazinepage 20 www.christleton.org.uk
MymapbusinesswasgrowingandIwasstartingtoproduceregularcatalogues.IpurchasedaGestetneroffsetlithoprintingmachineandtaughtmyselfhowtoprint.Makingthemetalplatesinthedarkroom.Inkingupthemachine,cleaningtherollersandthenthemostdifficultart. Getting the balance of ink and water right. I rarely had cleanfingernailsinthosedays.
Thetimecomesinallsmallbusinesseswhendecisionshavetobemadeabouthowyoushouldbestspendyourtime.Idecidedtohandthe printing to a professional as the setting upwas a huge job initself.ToimprovethelookofthelayoutIpurchasedanIBMtypewriterthat output proportional spaced type.A big jump from the uniformspacingofanormaltypewriter.Thisproducedlovelyblacktypeasitusedafilmribbonsoeachletterusedafreshpiece.NotcontentwiththistherenextcameaVarityper.Knownprobablyonlyintheprintingtrade.Lookedlikeatypewriterbutcolouredgreen.Itwasadreadfulweightthatmadeyougroanwhenyouhadtomoveitbutproducedthemostbeautifulblackproportionalprintonpurewhitepaper.
Now for the big one. For over 200 years the front stone step atStoneydalehaswithstoodconstantGeorgiantrafficeitherintheformofdaintyfabriclady’sshoes,men’sbuckledshoes,farmer’sbootsorevenstylishpolishedblackandbrown leatherhuntingbootsgentlytappedwitharidingcropawaitingthemaidtoanswerthedoor.Yearsoflady’sshoeshiddenbylongswishingVictoriandresses.ItdidnotflinchwiththestampofsoldiersbootsintheFirstWorldWar.Childrenwithbarefeetonahotsummersday.WellwornshoesinWorldWarII.Creepingcrepeshoes,dirtywellingtonsandsexystrapworksandals.It did not screamwhen stabbedbyhigh stilettos but preferred thegentlybrogue.Peoplesfeet,dog’sfeet,cat’sfeet,afrog’sfoot,abirdorthesilverslidingbellyofaslugneverdiditanyharm.Butthenonesummersdaythebeastarrived.TheGestetnerTypesetter.Dullblackwithbluestripes itapproached thestepona trolley.Toyou,no toyou.Ilookedonastwostrongsweatingmenheavedthebeastonatrolleyoverthecobbles.Thefrontstepquiveredfearingitsfate.Thebeastmovedandmadeitsmark.Thestepcrackedundertheweight.Itbearsthescarofthatfatefuldayintheearly80’stothisveryday.
January, 2011 page 21
Early personal computers had started to appear. I remember ona visit to London seekingout a shop just to beable to drool overtheCommodore Pet.With its 8kb or RAM, its tiny calculator typekeyboard, small screen and a tape cartridge to load programs. Incomparison my Gestetner Typesetter was some seven feet long,three feet deep and over four feet high with a reasonable screenandalargekeyboard.Thesecretofthis£10,000monsterwasthatitcouldstoredataon9inchfloppydisks.Whenyoucommittedafiletoprintittwitteredawaylikeanightingalesettingthetypeontoarollofphotographicpaperthatyouprocessedinamatchingblueandblackcabinet.
IwasaroundatthebirthoftheApplecomputerandhavesincethenbeen a loyal fan and user. It introducedme to desktop publishingand my first Apple laser printer costing £5,000. Another amazingrevolutioninitstime.NowIcouldproducetypewrittenmaterialwithnomessychemicals.Thestepbraceditselfandthebeastleftquietly,exitingandleavingnomarkofitsdeparture.WithsuccessiveApplecomputers thecapabilitieswidenedand todaysophisticatedglossypublicationscanbeproducedathome.Therearethosewhowilltryandmakeusdiscardtheprintedwordonpaperandinsteadholdadigitaltabletinourhands.Timewilltellwhathappens.PerhapsthereisroomforbothforalthoughIwelcomenewtechnologyIhopetherewillalwaysbeadesireforthevisualdelightandfeelofatreasuredbook.Illustratedonthefrontcoverofthismagazineisthefrontispieceofatreasuredwork.Thefirsteditionof theAuthorizedKingJamesversionoftheBiblepublishedinLondon400yearsagoin1611.
I had been a subscriber to the Christleton Parish Magazine formanyyearsand in1996 Isawa request in themagazine forhelpwiththemonthlypasteupsessionsthattookplace.Aftermakinganappointment I visited the rectory.Our retired rectorPeterLeewastherewithPatNillsen.Peterkindlyapologisedforthelackofspacewithnowthethreeofustuckedintohisoffice.IcannotreallyrememberwhatIsaidbutitmusthavebeenwelcomed.Fortherestishistory.
Richard Nicholson
St. James’ Christleton Parish Magazinepage 22www.christleton.org.uk
2011The 400TH birthday of the King James Bible
Thisyearisthe400thanniversaryoftheKingJamesBible,anditwillbeayearofcelebration!LookoutforBiblefresh,aninitiativemadeup ofmore than 100Christian organisations, from churches and
agenciestocollegesandfestivals.Biblefreshonebigaim:toencouragechurchesacrosstheUKtoagreaterconfidenceandappetitefortheWordofGod.FormanypeopletheBibleisalreadyavitalpartoflife.Itregularlyinformsandshapestheirlives,theirattitudesandactions.ButformanyotherstheBibleissomethingtheystruggletoengagewith.Sooftenitendsupbeingput toone side, ignored, unopened.Theydon’t see its relevance; theydon’tseeitsvalue;frankly,theydon’tseethepoint.Biblefresh wants to change all that. It wants to encourage all of us toengage afresh with the Bible. By bringing together so many differentorganisationsthatareinvolvedinonewayoranotherwithresourcingBiblereading, study, translation and exploring the Bible through the creativearts,Biblefreshisopeningupawealthofresourcesandopportunitiesforeveryoneofus.Just imaginewhatmighthappen ifweall take this seriouslyandmake2011ayearoftheBibleinourchurchesandinourownlives!Sohowcanchurches,individualsgetinvolved?Biblefreshhascomeupwithfourpledges.Theseareto:ReadtheBibleBetrainedinhandlingtheBiblewellGivetotranslatetheBibleinBurkinaFasoProvide the opportunity for people to experience the Bible in new andcreativewaysTheBiblefreshwebsite(www.biblefresh.com)providesawealthofcreativeideasandsuggestionsastohowyoucouldexploreallfourareasfurther.Think aboutwhat you could do to helpmakeBiblefresh a part of yourchurch’syearin2011.The BRF (Bible Reading Fellowship) has created a Year of the BibleResourcepackcontainingsamplesofitsBiblereadingnotes,postersandmuchmore.(readyearlyFeb).Ifyouwouldliketousethisinyourchurch,contactBRFon01865319700.Whetherit’storeadtheBibleinayear,ortoreadacommentary,ortohelporganiseaneventinyourchurch—whynotresolvetodoatleastonethingin2011relatedtoBiblefresh
January, 2011 page 23
LEPROSY MISSIONStamp out leprosy!
Please donate your used stamps so that money can be raised for Leprosy Mission. Stamps should be trimmed to quarter inch border around the stamp, and can be left at the back of Church.
PLEASE TELL US…If you know of any special birthdays, anniversaries or anyone celebrating a special occasion, who is a Parish Magazine reader, please inform the editor, David Bull.
AVAILABLE AT ST JAMES CHURCH“Loop” system, for the hearing impairedLarge print books for the visually impaired & large print weekly notice sheetsEasy to follow Communion Service Books for childrenAccess for wheelchairsPlease ask any of the Churchwardens or Sidesmen if you need assistance in any way.
CHRISTLETON UNDER-FIVES COMMUNITY PLAYGROUP
Registered Charity 1022817C h r i s t l e t o n U n d e r F i v e s i s a n e s t a b l i s h e d p r e s c h o o l p l a y g r o u p a t t r a c t i n g c h i l d r e n f r o m a w i d e a r e a . I t e n j o y s g o o d a n d w e l l founded links with Christleton Primary School.Ch i ld ren f rom the age o f 2 1 /2 years u n t i l s c h o o l a g e a r e a c c e p t e d .P lease contac t the Superv isor, Caro le Penny, on 336586 fo r fu r the r de ta i l s .
MOBILE LIBRARY VAN SERVICEThe van calls weekly: alternate Thursdays all day and alternate Fridays in Quarry Lane 11.15 am – 12.45 pm. For further details of when the van is next in your area, please telephone Upton Library on 380053.
READERSPlease remember to support our magazine advertisers and mention where you have read their name.
CONTRIBUTORSThe best way to send contributions to St. James' Parish Magazine is to e-mail the document.
Attach your Word document and e-mail it to
MAGAZINE CONTRIBUTIONS
Please ensure all items for inclusion in the February edition are sent to Janet Milton (335469), as soon as possible
BEFOREFriday 14th January
MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTORSThe February magazine will be
available for collection from Church on Sunday 30th January
Financial situation... ‘Thebudgetshouldbebalanced,the Treasury should be refilled,publicdebtshouldbereduced,thearrogance of officialdom shouldbetemperedandcontrolled,andthe assistance to foreign landsshould be curtailed lest Romebecome bankrupt. People mustagain learn to work, insteadof living on public assistance.’Cicero-in55BC
St. James’ Christleton Parish Magazinepage 24
Parish Registers for November 2010
Holy Baptism7th PoppyGraceBatemandaughterofAndrewBateman&Shirley Melling 12GreenfieldCrescentWaverton7th JacobGregoryThompsonsonofAndrew&ClareThompson 21ThePaddock,Elton,Chester7th OliviaJadeThompsondaughterofAndrew&ClareThompson 21ThePaddock,Elton,Chester
“We welcome you into the Lord’s Family”
The Wedding Service27th PaulFalconerBanks&LucyGeorginaDocherty 47CitiPeak,874WilmslowRoad,Didsbury,Manchester
“Those whom god has joined together, let not man divide”
The Funeral Service5th DavidJohnGroom25Woodfields,Christleton10th DavidJohnGroom(BurialofAshes)24th HaroldMalcolmCarr16,WatlingCourt,VicarsCross,Chester
“Grant them eternal rest”Offertories
November Cash CSE 2010 20097th 172-22 695-50 867-72 935-5014th 671-55 639-50 1,311-05 1,310-1021st 126-06 662-50 788-56 952-9528th 88-95 604-50 693-45 694-86Totals £3,670-78£ 3,893-41
“Of your own do we give you”
PARISH CHURCH OF ST. JAMES, CHRISTLETON
SUNDAYS 8.00 a.m. Holy Communion 10.45 a.m Parish Communion 1st & 3rd Sundays Family Service 2nd Sunday Mattins 4th & 5th Sundays 6.30 p.m Evensong 1st, 2nd & 3rd Sundays Evening Communion 4th Sunday Songs of Praise 5th SundayWEDNESDAYS 10.45 a.m. Holy CommunionSAINT'S DAYS 9.30 a.m. Holy Communion
WHO’S WHO & WHAT’S WHAT
Rector: Interregnum All baptism, weddings and appointments by ...... arrangement with Janet Milton, 335469
Churchwardens: John Pearson ......................................................... 335101 Keith Smalls ......................................................... 335688Deputy Wardens Lois Dickinson Alan McAllesterReader Wayne Morris ............................................ 01978 263389Verger David Ellis ........................................................... 336879Sacristan: Betty Dunning....................................................... 335652
Sunday School: Berenice Hogg…………………. .............................336779Mother’s Union Branch Leader Janet Brown ... .........................................................335785Organist & Musical Director: Steve Roberts ...........................................................815277P. C. C. Secretary: Brenda Bailey ...........................................................335034P. C. C. Treasurer: David Mercer ...........................................................336155Stewardship Envelope: Betty Dunning ...........................................................335652Gift Aid Secretary Nigel Seddon .............................................................335588Bellringers Ian Braithwaite .........................................................300565Bellringer Vice Captains Ian Crossan ................................................................332280Parish Hall Booking Janet Milton ..............................................................335469C. M. S. Secretary Janet Brown ..............................................................335785Children’s Society Sec. Lesley Morgan ..........................................................335088Visiting Group: Berenice Hogg. .........................................................336779Library Lois Dickinson ..........................................................378320Church Flowers Olive Hammond ........................................................336562Magazine Editor David Bull .................................................................332234Magazine Compiler Richard Nicholson ....................................................336004Magazine Distributors Jenny Davies and Valmai Griffiths............................335884Neighbourhood Link Co-Ordinator Janet Bowden ............................................................335705Parish ResourcePerson for Child Protection Alastair Holland ........................................................332819