1

Beyond150

pages 7-10Easter

Services page 13

Warden of Wills page 15

St Mary’s

Messenger for Stoke Bishop Spring 09

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Helping Hand

Pre-SchoolSt Mary’s Play Group and Nursery ClassParish Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . 968 7449Village Hall Play GroupMrs H Cato . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 968 2180Westbury-on-Trym Baptist ChurchPre-SchoolChurch Office. . . . . . . . . . . . . 962 9990Trinity College Day NurseryHelen O’Neill . . . . . . . . . . . . . 968 4493

Primary SchoolsStoke Bishop (Cedar Park)Head TeacherMrs P Hepworth. . . . . . . . . . . 377 2173ElmleaInfant Head Teacher Mrs I Fey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 377 2352Junior Head Teacher Miss C Galliers . . . . . . . . . . . . 377 2266

DoctorsHelios Medical Centre(Stoke Hill). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 962 6060Sea Mills Surgery . . . . . . . . . 968 1182Sneyd Park Surgery . . . . . . . 968 3284Westbury-on-Trym Primary Care Centre . . . . . . . 962 3406

ChemistsGP Care PharmacyDruid Hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 968 8530Ideal Chemists LtdShirehampton Road . . . . . . . . 968 1272Lloyds PharmacyStoke Lane. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 962 8986Westbury-on-Trym . . . . . . . . . 950 5808Buxton & Grant PharmacyBlackboy Hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . 973 5025North View Pharmacy . . . . . . 973 3140

HospitalsBRI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 923 0000St Michael’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . 921 5414Children’s Hospital . . . . . . . . 927 6998Southmead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 950 5050Frenchay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 970 1212General Hospital . . . . . . . . . 926 5001Spire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 973 2562St Mary’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 987 2727

PoliceCentral number for all police stations. . . 0845 456 7000 (do not ring local stations)Community Policeman . . . . . . 945 4431

(Answerphone)

LibrariesWestbury-on-Trym . . . . . . . . . 903 8552Sea Mills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 903 8555Henleaze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 903 8541Central . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 903 7200

Mobile Library . . . . . . . . . . . . 903 8531Runs on Tuesdays Times Cedar Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.30pmStoke Hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.00pmJulian Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.35pmSea Walls Road . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.10pmArbutus Road. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.10pmGlenavon Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.55pmRoman Way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.25pm

CinemasOrpheus Henleaze . . . . 0845 166 2381www.reeltime-cinemas.co.uk/bristol.phpVue Cribbs Causeway. . 08712 240 240www.myvue.com

For Dentists, Opticians and other medical services consult

www.nhs.uk

Stephen Williams is MP for Bristol West. Tel 942 3494

E-mail: williamssr@parliament.uk

Bristol City Councilwww.bristol-city.gov.uk

Switchboard. . . . . . . . . . . . 922 2000(inc. refuse, streets, litter etc)

Emergency. . . . . . . . . . . . . 922 2050Stoke Bishop CouncillorsPeter Abraham. . . . . . . . . . 922 2227John Goulandris. . . . . . . . . 922 2227

HELPING HAND has been compiled by Keith Sheather. If you have changes, additions or updates to suggest please contact him on 968 2170 or e-mail:sheather@blueyonder.co.uk

Spreading the NetUsually in this spot we aim to give practical help, but this time we would like you to help us. Over the years many people have passed through St Mary’s and have fond memories of the Church and their time spent in Stoke Bishop. We are anxious to contact them and tell them about the Beyond 150 project. A special team, composed of Jenny Baker and David and Carol Speedyman, has been set up and the three will be compiling a database of all who have had contact with St Mary’s in the past, whether they worshipped here, got married here or were baptised here. They need names and addresses, so if you are still in touch with past members or anyone who has lived in Stoke Bishop, please let them know. For example: it may be your children got married here and have moved away or you have longstanding friends whom you still write to.The team can be contacted through Beyond 150, St Mary’s Church Office, Mariners Drive, Stoke Bishop, Bristol BS9 1QJ (0117 968 7449).

Sea Mills Post Office 160 Shirehampton Road . . . . . 909 5237

Buses41 via Parry’s Lane to Centre.40/40A Links Broadmead to the Mall via village and Sneyd Park.Portway Park & RideService to Centre stops at Roman Way(No official parking)

www.firstcityline.co.ukFor information about bus & coach travel in UK contact Traveline:0870 608 2608www.traveline.org.uk

TrainsSevern Beach RailwayTemple Meads to Severn Beach via Sea Mills(No official parking)

National Rail Enquiries 08457 484950www.nationalrail.co.uk

AirportBristol Airport. . . . . . . . 0870 121 2747www.bristolairport.co.uk

David and Carol Speedyman and Jenny Baker.

Community Matters

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Continuing his exploits, having left the RAF, our writer retells his experiences from the summer of 1969.

Towards the summer of 1969, Father Bill said he was going to remove my ‘other blinker’ and promptly sent me to Harlow in Essex. My place of work was the YMCA. It was a big mixed youth centre that catered for all sorts of young people; the skin heads, bovver boys, teddy boys, mods and rockers and of course the Hell’s Angels.

Get among them

We were open every night of the week. The Warden Leader was a diminutive charming young woman of about 25 – 30 ish. She gave me the same instruction that I had heard before – “Get among them”.

The bovver boys’ favourite exercise was to smash their fists against the wall to see how many bones they could break and how much pain they could endure without any grimacing. After about a week of this self-inflicted torture, I had a phone call one day from the senior medical officer, informing me that if any more of my club members went to the hospital for such treatment his staff would refuse to treat them!

Saturday night was Disco Night. The music was deafening, the lights were low and hundreds were packed into the hall. No one ever danced or pranced about. On my second Saturday there, Sandra the Warden said this was my chance to prove myself – she went off saying “See you on Monday”!

Waiting for a signal

Saturday Disco started and within 30 minutes there were several groups, all standing in their own territory, swinging clubs and bicycle chains, knives and choppers. They were obviously waiting for a signal of some kind. The adult voluntary workers (my helpers) scarpered very quickly. I was all alone!

I rang the Police and asked if a ‘Bobby’ would look in at the Centre and I described the scene. 90 seconds later there were half a dozen Police vans outside. Dog handlers with ferocious looking, barking dogs, even police on horse back. The chief Policeman came up to me. “I only asked for a policeman to look in!” I said. He sneered at my remark and said “You’ve not been here very long in Harlow ‘ave yer”! He said: “Go and turn the noise off, put all the lights on and open up all the windows.” The dogs were sent in and in a very few minutes the place was empty except for the Chief of Police and myself. “Lock up and go home” he said. Shaking with fright, I went and got drunk!

Angel friends

The easiest group that I quickly made friends with were the Hell’s Angels. So well that whenever I walked around the town during the day I noticed that there were always two Angels within a hundred yards of me! The next time I saw “Slug” their President I questioned him about this. “Yes”, he said “we had a meeting last week and we agreed that you were alright – so the boys have set up your bodyguard and they won’t take no for an answer.” He went on: “You are a bit old to be walking around town by yourself.”

At home

I was there for eight weeks. Fortunately my Aunt and Uncle lived in the old village of Harlow and so my rare off duty times were spent in their home. I knew both of my blinkers had been removed before I was awarded a diploma for youth work and youth counselling.

I applied for three positions in Bristol and at the third, I was asked to leave the room while all 20 members of the committee decided my future. The County Youth Officer accompanied me outside and said to me, “They will be bloody mad if they don’t appoint you!”

I was appointed and started work immediately. The members were on summer holidays so I only had the secretarial and cleaning staff to meet during the day. They all said the same thing, “You’re a bit old for this line of work aren’t you”? A year later I was promoted to be the District Youth Worker for South Gloucestershire.

Reflections

Reflecting upon all of this, I realized that I was very much guided and protected during this time by my Guardian Angel.

In our next issue – more exploits from our writer including dramatic dealings with the Hell’s Angels.

Memoirs in the Service of Youth 1969-1989By a retired member of St Mary’s congregation

You 2 DeliVisit us at 1 Druid Hill

Stoke Bishop, BRISTOL BS9 1EW

Telephone : 0117 968 8846

Global Matters

Millions watch Bible Celebration

Dark media images of appalling violence in Gaza have been dominating the news as I write in January. This issue of the Messenger will be read as we head towards Easter. Many Christians will remember how there was darkness in the Holy Land for the last three hours of Jesus’ physical life on earth, and for the inhabitants of Gaza this is a very dark period. However, it is encouraging and surprising to learn that nearby in Egypt, on December 3rd 2008, 6000 people were present in St Mark’s Coptic Cathedral in Cairo to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Bible Society’s work in that country. Those present included leaders in the Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant communities in Egypt, allowed to speak from a Coptic pulpit for the first time.

Egyptian Broadcast

This Cathedral was a well chosen venue, for a new law there, as in other Muslim countries, forbids Christians to gather for worship in non-registered premises. The timing on a Wednesday evening was also good, for Coptic Pope Shenouda III is strongly committed to working for Christian unity, and is such a popular speaker that his Wednesday evening Bible studies are regularly watched by a worldwide audience of millions! On this occasion three Egyptian Christian satellite channels co-operated to broadcast the event live.

A light in the darkBy Sheila Brown

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St Mark’s Coptic Cathedral, Cairo

A political activist changes course

Living in the West Bank, Jack Sara had taken part from early youth in struggles (intifada) to protest about the hard lives of fellow Palestinians, and was repeatedly jailed. One day in prison he remembered a Christian neighbour who seemed to have inner peace. He got in touch and was visited by him and by a Pastor – both answered his questions. He then began to read the Bible, and as he learned about Jesus, who struggled against the authorities of his time, and received his message of living hope, Jack found the peace he sought and realised he could help his people in other non-political ways.

Real Peace

He joined a Church on his release and continued studying the Bible. Now aged 24, he teaches part-time at Bethlehem Bible College, and as an assistant Pastor helps others to know more of Jesus’ love and reality. “This is a spiritual battle for the hearts of the people: I want to bring them to the Lord because only salvation can bring them real peace,” he says. Peace is not easily found by those living in the politically volatile situation in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, but Jack found inner peace through God’s Word (these stories and more on www.biblesociety.org).

The Bible Society

These two true stories from the Middle East are only some of the many accounts of change resulting from the work of 154 branches of the Bible Society in 200 countries. The secular press will probably not tell you that Christmas Day was an official holiday in Nepal in 2008 for the first time ever, and that the Bible in Nepali and Tibetan Common Language is available in that country, where some have received healing through prayer in Jesus’ name. Even in Zimbabwe Mr. Chinyati, who has led the local branch since October, is excited about new possibilities despite appalling economic conditions. A powerful chief asked him to preach and give the Shona Bible to village heads, who oversee court proceedings locally. 40,000 Bibles arrived in Harare in time for Christmas, and there are plans to help and teach street children. People there are keen to find comfort in God’s word at this extremely difficult time. It is to be hoped that many in this country will also discover hope and faith, joining other Christians in working towards their nation’s recovery from a dark period.

Community Matters

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“Cherry ripe, cherry ripe, ripe I cry” in January?

By Eileen Stonebridge

On a very cold day in January I noticed cherries for sale in a local super market. This set me on a train of thought about seasonality and food supply.

To me, cherries are associated with warm summer days, not with shivering in winter. I reflected how the availability of food has changed, owing almost entirely to cheap fuel and a massive increase in transport facilities. Now, we can expect almost any fruit at any season. Gone is the anticipation of each seasonal fruit, luscious English strawberries in June, apricots in July, plums in August and the succession of different varieties of apples during the autumn. We have been conditioned by the supermarkets to think of apples as hard green things called Granny Smith, chiefly from Australia or Golden Delicious, best from USA... both keep well and have a long season. How has this come about? The answer lies chiefly through bulk buying and contracts to get the cheapest available.

The effect of this change in producer-consumer relationships has had dramatic side effects, particularly on farming in this country, for example acres of orchards have gone in Kent. We now only produce 5% of our fruit, yet we

have ideal growing conditions for apples, pears and the soft fruits. The vast movement of food across the globe has been termed food miles by Tim Lang, professor of food policy at The City University. Apart from producing food, the side effects of the food industry are a plethora of environmental, social and public health problems across the globe. Not least pollution and traffic congestion in this country. 25% of HGV mileage is for food transport.

Tim Lang argues that we should buy seasonal local food and that radical changes are needed in our food and farming industry as currently “we are sleepwalking towards a crisis as a result of rising oil prices, climate change and rising costs of food.”

A director of Sainsbury’s claimed that it is protectionism to buy local produce as it is to the detriment of Third World farmers. This problem can be mitigated if we seek out Fair Trade goods, as the income goes directly to the producer, rather than as in many cases to the multinationals, who take land from native farmers but benefit them very little afterwards. The food farming

industry is a very complex issue which currently is governed by the policies of the supermarkets.

It is very strange, that in a country which is blessed with excellent soils and climate for growing food, we import more than 50% and that much of our best arable land is used for growing cattle fodder, whilst our hill farms, where cattle should be kept, are struggling to survive and the farmers are being given grants to keep the landscape in order, whereas the cattle would do it for them.

The problems facing our farming, food industry and diet were the subject of a Cabinet Office paper last June, “Food Matters. Towards a Strategy for the 21st Century”. There are moves to bring about change and many individuals are seeking better quality, locally produced food. As individuals we can do our bit by buying food produced as near to home as possible.

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BEYOND 150New worship & community centre for Stoke BishopWhat we are planning…Church Interior• Flexible space• Comfortable Chairs• Tiled Floor• Underfloor Heating• Enlarged Podium• Improved Lighting• New Audio Visual System• Stage Lighting• Disabled Toilet• Servery

Church Rooms• New Two Storey Building• Road Level Entrance• Friendly Reception Area• Welcome Desk• Two large Halls• Lift & Stairs to upper floor• More Toilets (inc disabled)

Upper Floor• Direct access to Church• Catering Equipped Kitchen• Large Promenade & Lounge area• Coffee & Tea Servery• Audio Visual Facilities in Upper Hall• Meeting Rooms Lower Floor• Small Kitchen for Lower Hall• Audio Visual Facilities in Lower Hall• Separate Entrance to Lower Hall• Offices & Meeting Rooms• Dedicated Youth Area

“ I cannot but think that your project will put the Church right at the centre of the community, because you will have the resources to make that happen. It is striking, in fact, how Stoke Bishop needs it.”“A project like Beyond 150 will deepen faith and lead many to maturity in Christ because faith will be stretched. Indeed, make no mistake about it, your faith will be tested. Projects of this nature are never easy.”Lord CareyFormer Archbishop of Canterbury and patron of Beyond 150.

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BEYOND 150 www.stmarysb.org.uk

Three years ago, I was given a birds eye view of Stoke Bishop; a cherry picker had been placed at our disposal for the day in order that loose tiles on the spire be replaced.

Spectacular

Their work completed, the builders asked whether I would like to see what the Church was like from above. It was an invitation I could not resist. However,

as the lifting gear went up 200 feet into the air while I hung on for dear life, I did wonder if I had been too hasty in my acceptance. But the view from above was spectacular; I guess it was an experience not shared by any of my nine predecessors – certainly not the first vicar, David Wright, who moved into the parish and began his work at St Mary’s on the 13th March 1860 – almost 150 years ago.

In those days there were about 600 people living in Stoke Bishop. The area consisted of a number of large houses, scattered farms and cottages. There were a few people – and they were only

Beyond 150By The Rev. David Ritchie BA, DipTh, LTCL

a handful – who had a vision of building a Church in the community. As with any lasting work of God, the whole project was demanding and challenging, and actually took years to complete.

Confused and Bewildered

Today the population of Stoke Bishop is not 600; it is nearer 8000, and we live in a different world from our predecessors – a world where the pace of life is accelerating all the time – a world in

which many are left confused and bewildered by the post-modern culture of our day.

What has ‘the Church’ to offer in such a setting? Sadly, the Church conjures up pictures of ancient and decaying buildings inhabited by elderly congregations and demoralised clergy – in other words a time capsule detached from the ordinary everyday lives in which most of us live.

Is that true of St Mary’s? I hope not. However, as we look ‘Beyond 150 years’ we cannot afford to stand still. A Church building that is used only one day in seven and Church rooms that are often overstretched beyond capacity no longer make sense.

Dream, Dream

So it was three years ago (about the same time as my journey above the spire) that

a small group of people first met together to dream dreams – and ask ourselves how our buildings can best serve the needs of the community here in Stoke Bishop, dare I say it, for the next 150 years.

The exciting plans for a re-ordered Church and new Church rooms are the result and will be on display over the weekend of March 28th-29th at the public launch of ‘Beyond 150’.

We are greatly privileged to have Lord Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, as patron of ‘Beyond 150’. He, together with his wife Eileen, are old friends of St Mary’s and we are so glad that they

will be with us for that weekend when Lord Carey will be our guest preacher.

Adventure

We face enormous challenges (as did our predecessors all those years ago) indeed it has been said that in any lasting work of God there are three stages: Impossible – Difficult – Done. It may take a long time for the vision to become a reality. However, I do hope that you will join us in what promises to be an exciting, if at times daunting, adventure as we look ‘Beyond 150’.

Letters toThe MessengerIf you have an interesting story to share, an event to publicise or you would like to comment upon anything you have read in The Messenger, please get in touch. You can email the editor at sam.kirby@partners-in.com or send a letter to Sam Kirby, St Mary Magdalene Church, Mariners Drive, Stoke Bishop, Bristol BS9 1QJ.Electronic copies of The Messenger are available to read on our website at www.stmarysb.org.uk

St Mary’s looking down from the cherry picker

Aerial view of new development at St Mary’s

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www.stmarysb.org.uk BEYOND 150

LAUNCHOpen Weekend

EVENTSSaturday 28 March10.00-16.00 Exhibition in Church with coffee, tea & biscuits

14.30 Bell Ringers attempt quarter peal

16.00-17.00 Meet the Architect (in Church)

17.00-18.00 Press Reception (with Lord Carey of Clifton, former Archbishop of Canterbury)

18.00-19.00 Reception & Light Supper (meet Lord Carey)

19.30 Concert with mezzo soprano Norma Minors and organist and pianist Andy Dewar (musical director Clifton College)

20.15-20.45 Interval with wine & nibbles

20.45-21.15 Concert

Sunday 29 MarchDon’t forget the clock change!

08.00 Holy Communion with George Carey09.00 Parish Breakfast with George Carey10.30 Service for everyone (preacher George Carey)

An evening with

FRED WEDLOCKFriday 22 May • 7.30pm

BLUE NOTES JAZZ BAND

Saturday 25 April • 7.30pm

Treasure Hunt & BBQ

Saturday 27 June • 2pm

Summer Feteat Red Maids School

July 18th 2009 • 2-4pm

Lots of stalls, sideshows, grand raffle and more.Contact Yvonne Penn 908 2153

Saturday 28 March - will you be joining us?Please tick…

I/we will be attending the 18.00 Reception & Light Supper

I/we will be attending the 19.30 Concert

I/we will be attending the 09.00 Parish Breakfast

Your name

Contact phone

Number of people in your party?

To help us with catering would you kindly let us know if you plan to attend the reception on Saturday 28th March at 18.00 and/or the concert at 19.30.

You can tear off this slip and post it to the Church office or you can telephone the Church office.

Alternatively, if you have access to a computer you can email us…

Beyond 150, St Mary MagdaleneMariners Drive, Stoke Bishop, Bristol, BS9 1QJTel: 0117 968 7449Email: jgornall@btconnect.com

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BEYOND 150

Stoke Bishop needs more community facilities and the new building will give much needed space crossing the boundaries, as George Carey says, ‘between the sacred and the secular’:

• Two halls will let Pre-School operate fully for five days a week, while allowing other organisations to have morning activities

• The large promenade area will give the Sunday congregations a chance to mingle over coffee, read the notice boards, peruse the book stall and purchase their Traidcraft goods in a light room with fine views

• During the week the promenade area becomes a drop in centre, with the chance to meet friends, have a coffee, do business or just read the paper

• Young people will have their own dedicated rooms – their space to chill out, play pool and to read the Bible together

• A fully equipped kitchen will allow the rooms to be let for functions with outside caterers eg annual meetings, parties and conferences

• The upper floor will make an attractive Wedding Reception venue offering St Mary’s as a one stop wedding location

• Many organisations use St Mary’s (Pilates, Pre-natal, University of the Third Age), but with greater flexibility more can be attracted

The opportunities are endless…

When the dust from the building works has settled and we have before us a re-ordered Church and new Church rooms, how will we be using the new facilities? Perhaps this is the moment to dream dreams.

Re-Ordered ChurchPicture the Nave with its new tiled floor, underfloor heating, comfortable chairs, enlarged podium and lighting that shows off the beauty of the architecture and then imagine the many ways this flexible space could be used:

• Cross Roads Services that bring the children into the body of the Church

• Harvest Supper which can cater for as many as want to come

• From Erica Bebb, a dance drama that uses the full length of the Nave to show off the beauty of dance in worship

• Concerts which allow the performers space and a chance to utilise to the full the fine acoustics of the Church

• A Crib Service filling the Nave with prams and buggies

• A Christian Rock Concert that exploits the newly installed audio visual facilities and the theatrical lighting

• Winter Warmer with no more squeezing between the pews

The opportunities are endless…

New Church RoomsThis is our outreach to the community of Stoke Bishop. The new two storey building has been designed as a statement of welcome. It says a Church building is not just for Sundays, but for everyone at any time. With its ground level entrance, large windows, complete accessibility and seamless passage into the Church, it proclaims ‘come in, you are welcome.’

Using The New DevelopmentBy Keith Sheather

Local Events

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Community Diary Spring 2009

Friends of Old Sneed Park Nature ReserveWorking Parties Saturdays: 14 March, 4 April 10am - 12 noon (coffee & biscuits 11am) Meet at Glenavon Park entrance with gloves, loppers and secateurs.

Wildlife of the Severn Estuary by Rupert Higgins Thursday 12 March 8.00pm Hulbert Room St Mary’s

Stoke Bishop & Sneyd ParkLocal History GroupSneed Park Nature Reserve Friday 17 April 7.30pm Stoke Bishop Village Hall Lottery funding and work progress by Eileen StonebridgeVisit to the Botanic Gardens Tuesday 16 June 6.30pm £3.50

University Botanic GardenWinter Opening Hours: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 10am - 4pm Special Sunday Opening: 29 March 10.30am - 4pm Summer Opening: from Good Friday 10 April, every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday 10.30am - 4pm

Stoke Lodge Adult Learning CentreOpen Day and Summer Exhibition Friday 24 & Saturday 25 July 11am - 5pm

Film FocusEnjoy a film, tea, discussion

and a time of worship

5 April

A Man Called Peter U

Christian film for Palm Sunday

Sunday at 3pmin the Church Rooms

Did you know? if you are FEELING LONELY or you NEED CHEERING UP or you JUST WANT A CHANGE

You can pop into St Mary Magdalene Church, Mariners Drive, for a cup of tea or coffee and a chat, any weekday morning between 10am and 12noon

Saturday Mornings at 8amfinishing at 9am

May 9thJune 27th

September 12thNovember 14th

Women’s Breakfasts at St Mary’s take place six times a year and women of all ages are very welcome. Please join us

at 8am for a delicious breakfast of fresh coffee, croissants, fruit and yogurt and an opportunity to meet up with other

women of all ages. Breakfast is followed by a presentation from an interesting speaker, closing at 9am. Breakfast is free of charge; donations gratefully

received on the day.For further information please contact

Ruth Boxall on 968 1400 or check our website.

Women’sBreakfasts

BRIGHT SPARKSFor families and carers with babies and toddlers

Play, craft, storytime, song time, drinks and biscuits

1.30 to 3.15 in the Church rooms

Every Monday in term-time

Warm welcome for all newcomers

Advertising When you contact one of our advertisers, please mention that you saw their advertisement in the Messenger.

We are pleased to be able to support The Messenger and would be pleased to support you in any of the following areas

• Claims against professional advisers

• Commercial Agreements

• Commercial Law

• Employment

• Mediation

• Disputes

For a free initial diagnosis of your legal issues please contact Tony Hughes at Trym Lodge, 1 Henbury Road,

Westbury on Trym, Bristol BS9 3HQTel: 0117 959 6424; Fax: 0117 959 6425

For further information please refer to our website at:

www.enterpriselaw.co.uk

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Easter

From theChurch Registers

BAPTISMS15th November 2008

Benjamin George Hokulani Shuttleworth

7th December 2008Samuel Stuart Richardson

4th January 2009Emelie Clara Blake

William Francis Forrest Brown1st February 2009

William Elliott WoodfieldAnnabel Holly Warr

Saskia Grace Gliddon Smith

MARRIAGES13th December 2008

Michael Alberto Rocha to Kathryn Ruth Allen

FUNERALSKenneth F Boucher9th January 2009

Harold Frederick Rogers30th January 2009

John N Mostyn11th February 2009

Emily Marjorie Gillespie13th February 2009

Easter Service details: Maundy Thursday 9th April8.00am Holy Communion

Good Friday 10th April11.00am Open Air Easter Songs – outside Stoke Bishop Spa. All Welcome.12noon-3.00pm Three Hours at the Cross

Easter Sunday 12th April9.00am Holy Communion10.30am Crossroads All Age Service6.30pm Easter Evening Praise

Matthew 27:50-53 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people. (NIV)

John 11:25-26Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. (NIV)

1 Peter 1:3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...

With OUR EYES we seeThe beauty of Easteras the earth awakens once more...

With OUR EARS we hearThe birds sing sweetlyto tell us Spring again is here...

With OUR HANDS we pickthe golden daffodilsand the fragrant hyacinths...

But only with OUR HEARTScan we feel the MIRACLE of GOD’S LOVEwhich redeems all men...

And only with OUR SOULcan we make our ‘pilgrimage to God’and inherit His Easter Gift of ETERNAL LIFE.

By Helen Steiner Rice

Easter Reflections

14

Our Church

Contacts and other informationVicarThe Rev. David Ritchie BA, DipTh, LTCL. . . . . . . . . 968 1858

Assistant CurateThe Rev. Anne Farmer B.Ed, DipTh . . . . . . . . . . . . 949 2407

Lay MinistersAngela Cattell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 968 3069Hazel Trapnell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 968 7190Jennifer Hall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 968 5959

Church WardensJason Parker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 968 6863Lucy Swithinbank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 968 4400

Parish Office Open9am until 1pm Mon – Fri, 2pm until 4pm Mon & Thurs

The Messenger Team

EditorialEditor: Sam Kirby . . . . . . . . . . 959 1591

Features EditorsHelping Hand: Keith Sheather . . . . . . 968 2170Community Matters: Judith Sheather. . . . . . 968 2170Global Matters: Sheila Brown. . . . . . . . 377 6543Christian Perspective: Hazel Trapnell . . . . . . . 968 7190

Distribution Co-ordinator: John Hill . . . . . . . . . . . 949 2717Advertising Manager: Sam Kirby . . . . . . . . . . 959 1591

Copy Date for Next Issue: 19th AprilIf possible, please use email to the editor:

sam.kirby@partners-in.com

Activities for Young PeopleMothers & Toddlers Caroline Simpson . . . . . . . . . 968 2775Playgroup & Nursery Parish Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . 968 7449Creche (0-3) Susan Fairbairn . . . . . . . . . . . 968 1200Seekers (3-4) Ann Thomas . . . . . . . . . . . . . 968 5195Discoverers (4-6) Ann Thomas . . . . . . . . . . . . . 968 5195Mariners (6-11) Nick Powlesland . . . . . . . . . . 968 3845Kidz Klub (7-11) Nick Powlesland . . . . . . . . . . 968 3845Focus (Year 7+) Rob Smith . . . . . . . . . . 0786 8027 209Youth Cell (11-14) Rob Smith . . . . . . . . . . 0786 8027 209Pathfinders (11-14) Rob Smith . . . . . . . . . . 0786 8027 209Contact (14-18) Rob Smith . . . . . . . . . . 0786 8027 209Group Scout Leader Su Barwell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 962 1984Enrolment Therese Millar . . . . . . . . . . . . 909 2014Scouts Chris Meadows . . . . . . 07734 151 055Cub Scouts Therese Millar . . . . . . . . . . . . 909 2014 2014Beavers Caroline Owen . . . . . . . . . . . . 968 4646Guide District Commissioner Pam Edwards . . . . . . . . . . . . 940 01909th Guides Lara Kirby . . . . . . . . . . 07764 585 0579th Brownies Brown Owl Wendy Hughes . . 962 4580 Waiting List Alison Bryant . . . 968 1819199th Brownies Suzanne Evans . . . . . . . . . . . 968 2569

Adult OrganisationsWednesday Circle Shirley Wotton . . . . . . . . . . . . 968 4296Friday Badminton Liz Floyd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 968 1759Book Club Mary Michaels. . . . . . . . . . . . 968 2723Road Reps Judith Sheather . . . . . . . . . . . 968 2170Alpha Sheila Brown . . . . . . . . . . . . . 377 6543House Groups David Baker . . . . . . . . . . . . . 968 3227Women’s B’fasts Ruth Boxall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 968 1400Men’s B’fasts Paul Richardson . . . . . . . . . . 968 4572Traidcraft Albert & Pauline Pearson. . . . 968 6822

A Traidcraft stall is held in the Church Rooms after morning services on the 3rd Sunday of the month.

Parish LunchLunch is served in the Church Rooms each Thursday at 12.15pm (except in August). All are welcome.

For further details of services or Church personnel, please contact the office on 968 7449 or visit our website.

Church ServicesSunday

9.00am Holy Communion (2nd Sunday Morning Prayer)

10.30am Crossroads All Age Worship (2nd Sunday Holy Communion)

6.30pm Evening services vary and may be Choral Evensong, said Evening Prayer, Holy Communion with Ministry of Healing, informal praise and prayer, or Film Focus (which starts at 3.00pm). For details of times please check Church News in the Church entrance, contact the office or log onto our website www.stmarysb.org.uk

Thursday

11.30am Holy Communion

St Mary Magdalene, Stoke BishopMariners Drive, Stoke Bishop, Bristol, BS9 1QJ

Tel /Fax: 0117 968 7449 • Email: jgornall@btconnect.com

www.stmarysb.org.uk

Community Matters

15

Warden of WillsBy Judith Sheather

It is hard to believe that between Parry’s Lane and Stoke Hill there are about 2000 students living in six University halls of residence. The oldest hall, built in 1929 around an Oxbridge style quad, is Wills Hall and Donald Shell is warden, living in Downside, the original Victorian Gothic house.

Positive Pastoral Care

‘Over 300 of our 335 residents are first years, away from home for the first time. There are 13,000 undergraduates at Bristol and, in their first year, their contact with academic staff can be quite limited. I see my role as enabling the community of young people here to feel happy, relaxed and supported. They need to know that there are friendly older adults looking out for them,’ says Donald. ‘My focus is helping and guiding the students in positive pastoral care. As leader of the community I ensure the nature of the Hall is one of consideration and care. Discipline is a tiny fraction of my job but ultimately it is the warden who has to uphold the rules. 98% are hard working, courteous, gifted young people but 2-3 a year need a firm hand so that their lifestyle does not impact inappropriately on those around. Litter patrol at 8 am can be a wake-up call! The Hall is typically the place where students make their first friends. It mirrors the social composition of the University. 30% are from well-off backgrounds and privately educated, others are very different. I tell the students, ‘You will probably never have such an opportunity to get to know people so different from yourself – take advantage of that!’’

New Role

Donald is a senior lecturer in Politics. There are over 600 students studying degrees with some element of Politics in them and, for many years, Donald had looked after the first years. He had also been Chairman of governors at Cotham Grammar where he had enjoyed working with a varied community of staff. In 1997 his own children were in their 20s: his daughter at home, his son elsewhere in Bristol. He felt it was an easier time to take on a new role, warden of Wills.

In the early 1990s Donald was licensed as a lay minister and when he arrived at Wills and found that the chapel was not in regular use, he decided to take action. Wills Hall is the only hall of residence to have its own chapel, the Monica Wills Chapel. Donald felt it was part of his calling to ensure that it was used for Christian worship and not just as a social space. Working with the University chaplain, he has made possible the provision of services at 11.15 am every Sunday in term-time. Donald organises and invites speakers, and either leads services himself or has

other tutors or 2nd year students to lead. There are about 20 in the congregation. Half are definite Christians; half are intermittent worshippers. Afterwards there is always a Sunday roast provided in hall. I asked whether St Mary’s could offer more to interest students in Stoke Bishop. ‘Today’s students go for ‘style’ of worship and are drawn towards the city,’ commented Donald. ‘Christ Church and Woodlands attract large numbers. St Mary’s is in the ‘wrong’ direction, away from the centre, and I fear that, whatever is offered, the response is likely to be small.’

Centenary Plans

2009 is the University’s centenary with an appeal target of £100 million by 2015. Independent of any centenary plans there has been thought about redevelopment of the ageing 1960s accommodation on the Stoke Bishop campus. ‘Nowadays there is demand for internet workstations in every room and that is easier to provide in new buildings. The idea is that the University should retain control of the site and build for the 21st century. Nothing has been put to planning yet, and there will be full local consultation.’

Above Donald’s fireplace are photographs of all 335 members of Wills Hall. As I left, he was about to meet the Hall Bursar for one of their almost daily sessions on the practical side of catering for students. It is good to know that they are made to feel so at home in Stoke Bishop.

Donald Shell.

16

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