November 2012

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IF I HAVE OFFENDED YOU...

I’m sorry that this is a bit of an autobiographical article, but I’ve been asked the question it answers by quite a few

people, who can skip to the last bit!

During November I’ll be spending time in Hampshire as a new little Kennedy enters the world. However, I will be

back to be licensed to the Avon Swift Team as Associate Priest by the Archdeacon of Loughborough at 10.30 on

Sunday 25th November in our group service in Kimcote. That may seem odd – after all I’ve been around here in

one form or another for ages!

But now formal licensing is necessary. After Ordination, priests are given a three or four year Curacy to learn

about parish management alongside all the other necessary priestly skills. Mine finished two years ago.

Did I fail or have to do a re-sit? No! I am a Non Stipendiary Minister – that is a volunteer – and things are slightly

different for us. Because I have a job in Prison Chaplaincy, and look after my mother, I’ll be an Associate Priest -

not taking full-time responsibility as a Vicar, but continuing to support

ministry in various ways.

My ministry in Avon Swift began as a Reader, mainly serving in

Misterton. During training for Ordination, I thought that I’d be given a

Curacy somewhere else, then come back to all of Avon Swift as a

Priest. That was not possible – back then the Diocese didn’t have a

suitably placed Training Incumbent elsewhere, and asked me if I’d

mind coming back here. So I went to serve with dear Jane Curtis at the

top of our patch.

The rest you probably know – Jane left, Emma came, Ken left, Chris

came – I stuck around to be useful over all these changes. I have been

offered more time in Prison Chaplaincy, I’ve looked at other Parishes

in our Diocese and elsewhere. I always felt, though, that here is where

God has called me to be. Now, as things settle after all the team

changes, I am finally and officially committing to stay where I love to

serve.

I’d like to thank you for your support and affirmation through the years

of training and preparation, and ask for your prayers and fellowship in

the onward journey. When my Muslim colleagues in Chaplaincy go on

leave, they send us this message: 'As I go, I ask your forgiveness for

any offence I may have caused you.' Aware of my many imperfections,

I make the same request of you as this subtle change takes place.

My prayer this month is for deepening fellowship, kindness and

generosity of spirit in our future with each other:

Lord God, the source of truth and love, keep us faithful to the apostles'

The Five Parishes News

Serving the villages of Catthorpe, Misterton/Walcote, Shawell,

Stanford-on-Avon, and Swinford

The copy deadline for the December issue is Thursday 15th November

Please send news items, by the copy date, to: news@avonswift.org.uk

Copies of the current and previous newsletters are also available to view online at: www.avonswift.org.uk

What’s On - November

1st Swinford WI to Waitrose

6th Children’s Community Fund

Meeting

6th Swinford Parish Council

7th Mother’s Union

8th Swinford WI

11th Remembrance Sunday

13th Adults / Groups Community

Fund Meeting

17th Catthorpe Teas

21st—

24th

SODS Pantomime

Babes in the Wood

21st Manor Farm Shop Open

Evening

22nd Swinford Skirts

22nd Ways of Praying Course

begins

23rd—

24th

Velvet Celebration Weekend

25th Jane Kennedy Licensing

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teaching and fellowship, united in prayer and the

breaking of bread, and one in joy and simplicity of

heart, in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

See you in Kimcote on the 25th.

With love, hope and prayers,

Jane Kennedy

HARVEST SUPPER THANK YOUS! The All Saints Swinford Harvest Supper raised

£992.25p. This may seem unbelievable, until you realise

that our only expenditure this year was the meat and the

Village Hall rental, due to many very generous local

businesses and villagers. Thank you to everyone who

donated the many ingredients for the main course and

all the local chefs who made the many delicious

puddings. Then a big thank you to the group who make it all

happen and to the many who joined in the clearing up

and the washing up.

Dee Hodgkin

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REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY IN MISTERTON The service for Remembrance Sunday - and this year

the 11th November is on a Sunday - will be in two parts. The first part will be in St Leonard's church starting at

10.00am where there will be a service and

commemoration at the memorial in the church itself. The second part is scheduled to begin at 10.55am and

will be at the Memorial Hall in Walcote where there will

be a short commemoration service at the memorial

stones. There will be refreshments in the Hall following the

second part of the service. The Act of Remembrance for those who gave their lives

is not only to commemorate the sacrifices of the past but

is also to give thanks for those who continue to make

sacrifices for us today and to express our hopes that in

the future we will find a better way of resolving our

conflicts. Please join us. Keith Wilding

CATTHORPE PRE CHRISTMAS TEAS There will be teas, cakes etc, on offer in church on

Saturday November 17th, 2-4.30pm. Seasonal items to

browse and cakes to buy. All proceeds, and much of our

future fundraising, will be going towards the repair of

the tower. A very unwelcome crack has appeared and

needs urgent attention. Any donations of cakes etc can

be taken to Manor Farm. Look forward to seeing you on

17th.

Christine Jones

SWINFORD SKIRTS

Skirts are meeting at the Cherry Tree, Catthorpe for a

friendly game of skittles and a bar meal on either 1st or

8th November. On 22nd November we are going to JTL

Crafts at Lutterworth for a crafty evening making

Christmas cards etc, following which we shall be having

a curry. More details from Amie Tivey 01455 552311.

Hope you can join us in November.

Julie Morris

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VELVET – FIRST ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION!

Lutterworth - 31a Church Street, Lutterworth,

Leicestershire, LE17 4AL (Opposite Costa) At Velvet we love to mix Vintage, Retro and

Contemporary furniture and furnishings to create

individual homes with a twist and with our first

anniversary coming up we would love to share

information with you about the products and services

we offer that have made us such a success. To this end

we will be holding a celebration weekend with drinks

and nibbles on 23rd and 24th November and would love

for you to come along and join in.

Velvet is currently selling adorable items designed

especially for the festive period such as blankets and

decorations as well as Christmas gifts suitable for both

men and women. We pride ourselves by offering a

unique range of lighting, soft furnishings, glassware,

tableware and much, much more. Enjoy shopping on

our website at www.velvethomeinteriors.co.uk or visit

our beautiful shop in Lutterworth to experience the

unique 'Velvet' atmosphere. If it's interior design you

need, contact us on 01455 558155 for more information.

Monika Millington

SODS NEWS (SWINFORD OPERATIC AND DRAMATIC

SOCIETY) The rehearsals are well underway for our 2012

pantomime. This year we will be staging Robin Hood

and the Babes in the Wood in Swinford Village Hall

from Wednesday 21st to Saturday 24th November.

There will be a performance every evening and a

matinee on the Saturday. Doors will open at 6.45pm for

a 7.30pm start apart from the Saturday matinee where

the doors will open at 2.30pm for a 3pm start. Tickets

will be available nearer the time from Helen Griffiths

01788 869140 or The Chequers in Swinford 01788

860318, adults £6 and under 14s £4.

If you would like to help in any way there is always

plenty to do and as they say 'many hands make light

work!' Whether it’s treading the boards, make-up,

scenery painting, props, lighting, sound, help with

costumes or serving refreshments your help would be

greatly appreciated. We are a friendly group so if you

would like to join us or help in any way please contact

Simon Ragsdale 01788 860565. As always we’re having a great time rehearsing and

look forward to sharing our performance with you!!

Tina Briars

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SWINFORD WEDNESDAY CLUB

The last time we met we spent most of the time 'putting

the World to right' and having a fashion show of the

many items already completed. We really do have some

talented people. Barbara Gabrielli has made two

colourful knitted patchwork cushion covers and a hot

water bottle cover. Mary Shervington has made tiny

cardigans, lavender bags and flowing scarves. Wendy

Penrice has made some delicate scarf/shawls and soft

wearable neck jewellery in beautiful colours and we

have all contributed to the total.

Wendy took some of the items to a Craft Fayre in

Stamford but they were 'rained off' - just one of many

this year. She has also had some success in selling her

designs in Tenerife. She left some items with a friend

after her recent holiday and they have sold well.

Swinford crafts go international - who would have

thought it? We also discussed the possibility of future

local Craft Fayres.

We are a workshop, a craft and chatting group, just a

group of friends who meet for a cup of tea/coffee and a

biscuit or whatever you want. All skills are covered,

knitting, crocheting, sewing, decoupage, box making,

etc. so if you want to learn a new skill you will be most

welcome.

Do come along and join us. We meet in Swinford

Village Hall in the small hall on a Wednesday morning

from 9.30 am to 11.30 am.

Linda O'Reardon

SWINFORD 2000 NEWS

Christmas Fayre 2012

For the fourth year running, Swinford 2000 will be

transforming Swinford Village into a winter wonderland

and as always admission is free. This year’s event will

again be centred around a Christmas tree on the Green

with a light switch-on ceremony. The festive fun starts

at 5pm on Saturday 15th December with music and

entertainment. Other activities will include: a Santa’s

grotto with elves and presents, fairground attractions,

mulled wine and winter beer, roasted chestnuts, hot

food, hot chocolate and mince pies.

The Committee of Swinford 2000 are working very hard

to ensure the event is as successful, if not better, than

last year. It would be great if as many people as possible

were to get involved and help make the event a success,

we look forward to seeing you there!

November 2012

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Avon-Swift Group Services

Saturday 3rd November

4.00 pm Peatling Parva All Souls’ Service Rev’d Emma Davies

Rev’d Jane Kennedy

Sunday 4th November All Saints’ Sunday (White) Isaiah 25.6-9

Revelation 21.1-6a

John 11.32-44

8.30 am North Kilworth Holy Communion (BCP) Canon Chris Oxley

9.30 am Kimcote Holy Communion (CW) Rev’d Emma Davies

9.30 am Stanford on Avon Holy Communion (CW) Rev’d Jane Kennedy

11.00 am Gilmorton Family service with baptisms Rev’d Emma Davies

11.15 am Catthorpe Holy Communion (CW) Canon Chris Oxley

11.15 am Misterton Morning Prayer Keith Wilding

6.00 pm Swinford All Saints’ Special Service Canon Chris Oxley

Sunday 11th November Remembrance Sunday (Red)

10.30 am Peatling Parva Remembrance Service Rev’d Emma Davies

(with Kimcote) at Peatling Parva

10.55 am South Kilworth Remembrance Service Canon Chris Oxley

10.00 am Misterton Remembrance Service Keith Wilding

(to finish by 10.40) then 10.55 at Memorial Hall

5.45 pm North Kilworth Remembrance Service Canon Chris Oxley

(starting at war memorial)

4.00 pm Ashby Magna Remembrance Service Rev’d Emma Davies

(with Gilmorton) at Ashby Magna

6.00 pm Swinford Remembrance Service Keith Wilding

(with Catthorpe) at Swinford

Sunday 18th November Second Sunday before Advent (Green) Daniel 12.1-3

Hebrews 10.11-25

Mark 13.1-8

8.30 am Gilmorton Holy Communion (CW) Rev’d Emma Davies

9.30 am North Kilworth Holy Communion (CW) Canon Chris Oxley

9.30 am Kimcote Morning Prayer Keith Wilding

9.45 am South Kilworth Holy Communion (BCP) Rev’d Paula Oxley

10.30 am Catthorpe Toy Service Judith Smith

11.00 am Peatling Parva Holy Communion (BCP) Rev’d Emma Davies

11.15 am Shawell Holy Communion (CW) Canon Chris Oxley

11.15 am Misterton Holy Communion (CW) Rev’d Pip Clements

6.00 pm Swinford Evensong Canon Chris Oxley

Sunday 25th November Christ the King (Red) Daniel 5

Revelation 1.4b-8

John 18.33-37

10.30 am Kimcote Avon Swift Group Service Ministry Team and

Holy Communion (CW) The Venerable David Newman

with the Licensing of The Rev’d Jane Kennedy

Tuesday 27th November

2.45 pm North Kilworth Holy Communion (CW) Rev’d Emma Davies

with school students

BCP = Book of Common Prayer (1662) – traditional language

CW = Common Worship (2000) – contemporary language

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Morning Prayer – Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays at 9am at Swinford Church

Evening Prayer – Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays at 5pm at Gilmorton Church

All enquiries regarding Church matters should be directed to:-

The Revd Canon Chris Oxley, The Rectory, Kilworth Road, Swinford.

Telephone: 01788 860445; email oxleycr@btopenworld.com

The Revd Emma Davies, The Vicarage, 5 Church Lane, Gilmorton.

Telephone: 01455 556573; email emma.davies1@sky.com

The Revd Jane Kennedy, Telephone: 01455 554065; jane@kennedy47.orangehome.co.uk

For Misterton:

The Revd Canon Brian Davis, Telephone: 01858 431843; email Revbdavis@aol.com

From the Parish Registers

Baptisms - we welcome into our Church Family:

Edie Elizabeth Lacey 21st September South Kilworth

Isabel May Smith and Lois May Barnett 30th September North Kilworth

Sophie Nicole Lane 30th September Ashby Magna

Sebastian Arthur Cave Withers 7th October Swinford

Matilda Florence Knapp 14th October Kimcote

Sydney Rose Turner 21st October North Kilworth

Weddings - we wish every blessing on their marriage to:

Stephen Antony Jones and Katy Louise Butler 20th October Swinford

Funerals - we say farewell and commit to Almighty God:

Joanne Scotchbrook 3rd October Swinford

Burial of Ashes

Stanley Willis 11th October Kimcote

The Avon Swift Team Ministry invites you to:

Reaching Out:

Ways of Praying

a 4-week course on prayer

led by The Revd James Shakespeare

from The Harborough Anglican Team

Learn about:

o praying with experience

o praying with the Bible

o praying in community

o stillness, silence and contemplation

Suitable for anyone who wants to explore prayer

- regardless of experience!

When: Thursday evenings beginning 22nd November for

four weeks

Where: The Grange, Kimcote

Cost: FREE (scraps of wood for the wood burning stove

welcome!)

As space is limited please book a place through

Revd Emma Davies, 01455 556573, emma.davies1@sky.com

All Souls' Service

A short service for the commemoration of the departed.

Saturday 3rd November: 4pm

St Andrew's Church, Peatling Parva

An opportunity to remember the departed, and to light a

candle in memory of a loved one.

If you are unable to attend, but would like a name included

in the service,

please contact Rev'd Emma Davies 01455 556573

or Rev'd Jane Kennedy 01455 554065,

or any one from the PCC at Peatling Parva.

All are welcome.

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Volunteers

With Committee member numbers being at an all time

low, putting on events like the one described above is

proving to be more and more difficult. If you feel you

could spare us some time on or around the 15th

December, we would be very grateful. Even if it’s just a

couple of hours to help set up activities, man a stall,

serve refreshments or dismantle the event, whatever

assistance you can give would make a huge difference.

We’re a great little team who work so well together so if

you can help or even join us contact me on 01788

860103.

Community Bus

The bus can be used for a number of reasons so please

consider using it whatever your need might be, whether

it’s a social party or group shopping trip, we’re

confident we can accommodate your requirements.

Bookings can be made by contacting Martin Wright on

07909 985036. Costs for using the bus are 75p per mile

for self-drive (a copy of your driving licence would be

required), or a volunteer driver can be provided, at a

cost of £1 per mile.

As always, if you have any comments or feedback

please contact a member of the committee (Monika

Millington, Brian Priest, Guy Rogerson, Gary Sewell,

Martin Wright or myself). Alternatively, you may wish

to send us an email (swinford2000@yahoo.co.uk).

Tina Briars

S2000 Secretary

CHRISTMAS OPEN EVENING AT MANOR FARM

We'd like to invite you all to our Christmas Open

Evening on Wednesday 21st November between 6-9pm.

There will be lots of great, local festive goodies to

sample including mulled wine, beers, cheese, nibbles

and more. You'll have the chance to order turkeys, veg

boxes and trees and indulge in a piece of cake and hot

drink in the tearoom! We'll also have some great offers

on our new lines.

It's not too late to book a table with us during

December - we're serving our Festive Menu on Sunday

2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd between 12 and 3pm. We can

also serve our menu for groups of 12 or more on any

day and at any time to suit you. If you'd like further

information, just call us on 01788 869002.

Our Christmas trees will be available from the

beginning of December and our order forms for

everything you'll need for a perfect, traditional

Christmas are available now.

Caroline Ellerker

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MOTHER'S UNION

The venue for our meeting was changed at the last

moment as Janet Woodcock was suffering with Sciatica.

We are pleased to say that she is now much improved.

The small group met at my house where we made the

most of the Autumn sunshine by sitting at the table in

the Conservatory for afternoon tea and chat. We were

later joined by Mary Hall who brought us up to date

about the new heaters in the Church and with the

progress being made with the Jubilee Gate which we

hope will be installed by the end of the Jubilee year.

My dog Thomas, a Miniature Schnauzer, gave a little

demonstration of obedience and tricks - he will do

anything for a treat and he loves the attention.

The Mother's Union Carol Service is on December 4th

in Leicester. Also the venue for the Christmas Lunch on

5th December was decided upon and Susan Woollard

agreed to make the booking. We would all like to give a

thank you to Susan who travels every month from

Arthingworth and without her dedication the group

would not still be in existence.

We wish to welcome Jenny Lee to our group and our

next meeting on the 7th November will be at either

Jenny's or Janet's. If you wish to join us please give

Susan Woollard, our branch leader, a call on 01858

525254

Linda O'Reardon

SWINFORD WI

Our meeting on 11th October was entitled 'Quilts for

Injured Serviceman' and I didn't know quite what to

expect. What an inspiring and humbling evening it

turned out to be.

Q4IS is their logo and it was started in 2009 by Brenda

Lincoln (a former member of the T.A.) with two other

ladies in Lutterworth. They were 'sewing' friends and

they thought it would be nice to make some quilts and

offer them to the injured servicemen at Headley Court,

Surrey - the rehabilitation hospital for 'our boys' injured

primarily in Iraq and Afghanistan - 90% of whom are

amputees.

It took much negotiation to get past the hierarchy and

security but with the help of John Franks (who was our

excellent speaker for the evening), his Marine

experience and the Lutterworth British Legion, at long

last the first quilts were accepted. Previously ALL the

beds were 'adorned' with identical plain pale blue covers

marked as RAF, Navy or Army. The new quilts, each

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having a small Union Jack somewhere in the design,

brightened up the place and soon the small group were

receiving requests. Now Q4IS make bespoke military

quilts which becomes the personal property of the

recipient and must be robust enough to travel and to be

used in a war zone. So far, the small group of four or

five has delivered 500 bespoke quilts plus 1000 other

quilts.

The quilts brought to show us were diverse, from

camouflage, to military colours, through to one giant

Union Jack and when you see the photographs of the

quilts being presented you appreciate the supreme

sacrifice that some of these young people have made on

our behalf.

The material for each quilt costs approx £100 and Q4IS,

a charity, raises the money in various ways, walks,

sponsorship, donations, etc. The only expense the group

takes is for the petrol to Headley Court.

In September, Q4IS received their highest accolade

when they were approached by Clarence House to

attend the opening of a new ward at Headley Court.

To qualify for a quilt you must be injured in service -

there have been only four exceptions made; Anthony

Lambert, Naval Commander of Camp Bastion and

delivered to him in Afghanistan; Mick Mconnell's (an

RAF policeman) dog 'Memphis' on his retirement from

Afghanistan (Mick already had his quilt); and, at the

request of Prince Charles, to Princes William and Harry.

Finally, this tiny local group of dedicated people are

officially the only group supplying our troops with this

service.

Also at the meeting, we signed the WI petition in

support of the Provision of More Midwives; we were all

encouraged to vote in the 15th November vote for

Police Commissioners - after all the WI was amongst

the campaigners for Votes for Women; discussed the

controversial EU banning of reused jam jars for charity

sales of jam and preserves; and names were taken for

The Crucible at Lutterworth College.

It was announced that Swinford WI had purchased four

trees; a lime, a copper beech, an oak and a rowan to

mark the Queen's Jubilee and would be seeking final

permission to plant them in the new Cemetery. It was

hoped that a special planting ceremony could be

arranged.

We shall be meeting at 6.30pm in the Village Hall car

park for those attending the Waitrose Open Evening on

1st November and our next WI meeting is on the 8th

November when Marianne Parry will be telling us about

the History of Candles. We meet at 7.30pm in the small

room at the Village Hall and we are to be joined by

other WIs for the evening as this is not a talk to be

missed - so do come along.

Linda O'Reardon

SWINFORD PARISH COUNCIL

Swinford Parish Council met on Tuesday 2nd October.

Playground. No correspondence received. Swinford

2000 raised concerns over the length of time this is

taking. Parish Clerk to contact Andrew Granger to

obtain any further information.

Planning. No planning applications received

Mr A King Home Farm Rugby Road - Approved by

HDC

Mr and Mrs Foster 3 The Springs - Approved by HDC.

Swinford Community Fund meetings:

Tuesday November 6th 6.30pm Children

Tuesday November 13th 7.30pm Adults/Groups

Tuesday December 4th 6.30pm Children/Adults/Groups

Next Meeting Tuesday November 6th 7.30pm Swinford

Village Hall

Jan Throop

Parish Clerk

janthroopspc@hotmail.com

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November 2012

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