Village Link
December 2012
Grimston,Pott Row,
Congham & Roydon
Page One December 2012
Oh No They Didn’t!
The headline writers rushed to print: “Church of England Rejects Women Bishops”, “Church’s General Synod votes against Women Bishops”, and so on. But they were completely misleading headlines. The Synod members actually voted for Women Bishops by a large majority, as had been fully expected.
In rounded figures, 73% of members voted for the legislation to allow Women to be appointed as Bishops. But the General Synod, the national Parliament of the church, votes ‘by houses’ on all major topics, counting the votes separately of bishops, other clergy and lay members.
When they came to the decision, 94% of the Bishops voted in favour, 77% of the clergy voted in favour, and 64% of the lay members voted in favour. So there’s no way they voted ‘to reject’ or ‘voted against’ having women bishops. The problem was that the Church of England works by consensus, and on major changes regards the standard of agreement as a two-thirds majority in each house. The 64% of lay members who voted in favour was just 6 votes short of a two-thirds majority.
If the Houses of Parliament set themselves that level of agreement before passing laws, there would be far fewer of them! And in some cases that might have been for the better.
The failure to quite muster that two-thirds majority was a very big disappointment, because the sticking point had been the provisions made for those parishes where they feel they can’t accept women in leadership. It was thought that an acceptable formula had been found. But apparently it just wasn’t quite enough, even after many long months of searching for the right one.
Far from rejecting women, most Church of England members greatly appreciate the contribution of women clergy over the last 20 years and# we are looking forward them joining the ranks of bishops before too long.
But the Church of England tries hard to include as many people as possible whenever changes are made. In a society in which minorities are not always honoured, this part of the Christian Church takes its responsibility in creating unity and diversity very seriously indeed. That reflects the gentle love of the God who came to us that first Christmas, not because we voted for him to come, but so that we could experience his love and grace. And for that He chose a woman to be Jesus’ very first helper and teacher.
May I wish you a generous share of His Love and Peace this Christmas…
William A. Howard
Diary for December 2012
Sat.1st10am Christmas Fair at the Village Hall – Little Sunshines
1pm Table-Top Sale at Church Hill Barn
Sun.2ndAdvent SundayMorning Prayer 9am Roydon
Holy Communion 9am Congham, 10.30am Grimston
Methodist Service 10.30am Pott Row
Mon.3rdMobile Library visits Pott Row and Grimston
Tue.4th2.30pm Home Group at 62 Lynn Road,
7.30pmHome Group at 1LowRd,Roydon
Wed.5th2.30pm Home Group at 31 Ashwicken Road
7.30pm Fourvilles Panto at the Village Hall
Thu.6th10.30amCommunity events at HollyMeadowsSchool
7.30pm Fourvilles Panto at the Village Hall
Fri.7thCongham and Roydon Mobile Library visits
10am-4pm Decorated Christmas Trees, Pott Row Methodist Ch.
7.30pm Fourvilles Panto at the Village Hall
Sat.8th2.30pm Fourvilles Panto at the Village Hall
10am-4pm Decorated Christmas Trees, Pott Row Methodist Ch.
7.30pm Fourvilles Panto at the Village Hall
Sun.9thAdvent 2Holy Communion 8am Grimston
Morning Prayer 9am Congham and 10.30am Grimston
All-age Service at Roydon 10.30am
2pm-4pm Decorated Christmas Trees, Pott Row Methodist Ch.
6.30pm Pott Row Carol Service, MethodistChurch
Mon.10th7.30pm Grimston Parish Council at the Village Hall
Tue.11th6.30pm Holly Meadows ChristmasNativity, GrimstonChurch
7.30pm Greenfingers at the Village Hall; Christmas Bingo, the Anvil
Wed.12th12.15pm Hot Pott Lunch at the Rectory
Sat.15th2.30pm Good Companions at the Village Hall
Sun.16thAdvent 3Holy Communion 8am Grimston, 9am Congham,
Christingle Service 10.30am Grimston
Methodist Service 3pm Pott Row
Mon.17thMobile Library visits Pott Row and Grimston
Wed.19th7pm Grimston Carol Service, St.Botolph’s Church
Fri.21st6.30pmScouts/Cubs/Beavers Carol Service, GrimstonChurch
Sat.22nd5pm Congham Carol Service, St.Andrew’s Church
Sun.23rdAdvent 4Holy Communion 8am Grimston
Morning Prayer 10.30am Grimston
Methodist Service 10.30am Pott Row
Roydon Candlelight Carol Service 7pm > MORE ON PAGE 5
Christmas Eve11.30pmMidnight Christmas Communion, GrimstonChurch
Christmas Day8am Christmas Communion at ConghamChurch
9.15am Christmas Communion at RoydonChurch
10am Christmas Service at PottRowMethodistChurch
10.30am Christmas Communion at GrimstonChurch
Sun.30th9am Christmas Worship Together at ConghamChurch
Sun. Jan 6thEpiphany Morning Prayer 9am Roydon
Holy Communion 9am Congham, 10.30am Grimston
Methodist Service 10.30am Pott Row
Greenfingers
Greenfingers held their AGM on November 13th. As the accounts were discussed it was resolved to make a small increase in subscriptions. Charles Fosgate was unavoidably absent but was re-elected Chairman. The Committee was re-elected with the exception of Margaret Hodgkinson who has asked to stand down, and Joy Williams was elected in her place. Members were thanked for all their help during the year, and Joy Jeffery was fondly remembered and is much missed. Members signed a card for Margaret Hodgkinson ‘for all your years of devotion to Greenfingers’. One can only imagine the hours she spent on the club’s behalf as founder of the club, secretary and speaker-finder and members wanted to express thanks for her remarkable achievement.
Unfortunately the evening’s speaker Mr Graham Rice was unable to attend, but the evening concluded with a convivial hour in which members enjoyed refreshments and a quiz. Plant of the month winners were Margaret Gladman, 2nd Kath Evison and 3rd Stephanie Whitley.
The next meeting is on Tuesday December 11th, when the speaker will be Mrs Shelagh Ashe, on dry gardens, to end another successful year. The 2013 programme should be available at this meeting.
Christmas Bingo
at
The Anvil
Tuesday, 11th December at 7.30p.m.
All proceeds to Cancer Research UK
Any donations for prizes would be much appreciated.
Contact Caroline on 07901547028 or The Anvil 01485 600625
January Events at Gaywood Library
Gaywood Library is on a mission to see how many members of the local community they can encourage to read and share the same book at the same time. The chosen book is 'Before I go to Sleep' by S J Watson. Join us for a Gaywood Library Town Read Coffee Morning on Thursday 7th March 10.30am - 12 noon. Gaywood Library Town Read runs from Sunday 6th January to Sunday 10th March.
Wednesday 16th January – Keeping up with the Children. 12.30 – 2.30pm, a 10 week course providing information about how children are taught English and Maths in school and ways in which parents and carers can support their child's learning at home. A free crèche is available. Booking essential.
Wednesday 23rd January – Radio Training for 16 – 19 year olds. 4.30 – 6.30pm, a 6 week course covering radio training including presenting, interviewing, editing. Booking essential.
Taster Weekend
Saturday 26th January 10 – 4pm and Sunday 27th January 10 – 1pm: Come and spend the Weekend with us at the Gaywood Library. We have some fantastic activities going on such as: Scrabble, Rhymetime, I.T. Drop In, Mobile Madness, Drop In and Draw, Reading Groups, Family History Drop In and Storytime. All activities are free and open to all ages and remember it's a taster weekend, so you don't have to be a member to take part.
Sat 19th January - Great DVD sale 1pm – 4pm, £2 per DVD or 6 for £10
Sat 26th January - Talk and activity session with the Hawk and Owl trust 2pm – 4pm. tickets £1 adult 50p child
Sunday 27th January - Get Ready for the Big Garden Birdwatch. 11am – 12.30: Come along for a storytime then join in lots of activities to get ready for the Big Garden Birdwatch! Children must be accompanied by an adult.
For further information about any of these events (or to book your place where necessary) please contact the library on 01553 768498.
Regular Events:-
Every Monday: Scrabble Club 10 – 12
Every Monday (term time) Under 5s rhyme and storytime 1 – 2
Every Tuesday (term time) Under 5s rhyme and storytime 10.30 – 11
Thursday 3rd January – Audio book group 2 – 3.30
Every Monday - Computer help drop in session 10 - 12
Every Saturday - Computer help drop in session 2 - 4
Friday 25th January – Knit and Knatter - 10 - 12
Sunday 6th January – Sunday storytime (story and activity) 11 – 12
Grimston & District W.I.
The annual meeting was held in November and Julie Manning was re-elected as president. Rose Poole and Ann Ess have stepped down from the committee and thanks go to them for their sterling work in organising the varied and interesting programme. The remaining committee members were re-elected. Pat Watts was nominated to stand for the committee and a unanimous vote saw her elected to the committee.
After the business side of the meeting the WI were very pleased to present Karl Smith from the King’s Lynn Cycling Paramedics with a cheque for £921.60. This follows a year of fund raising and thanks go to members who organised events and supported events. Karl gave a brief outline of the work of the Cycling Paramedics and he promised to inform members how the money will be spent.
The next meeting will be the Christmas party on December 17th in Grimston Village Hall at 7.30. The competition is for a home made party hat so get those scissors and glue out!
‘Green’ Electricity at a competitive price
‘Good Energy’ is the UK’s only 100% renewable electricity supplier. Unlike other companies who only use a proportion of ‘green’ sources, all of their electricity is generated using natural power from the wind, water and sun or through sustainable bio-generation.
Committed to growing the UK’s renewable capacity they support a growing community of over 40,000 independent renewable generators across the country. The redevelopment of their wind farm in Cornwall was the first in a series of projects they’ve got planned – enough wind power to supply all the homes in a city about the size of Cambridge.
With an Economy 7 meter I’ve switched to Good Energy, and their prices have just been set at 15.12p per unit of daytime electricity, 8.2p for night-time and 18.88p per day standing charge. Some companies don’t have a standing charge as such, but you pay an extra higher price for the first few hundred units, which comes to the same thing. If you want to consider switching to Good Energy, have a look at gy.co.uk/affiliates/grimston-church, or phone 0845 456 1640 and quote grimston-church and they’ll give you £25 off your first bill. Changing suppliers is very simple these days. There’s no hassle. A previous company we used was Ecotricity but only 54% of their supply was ‘green’.
William Howard
Methodist Mardle
Divine Worship at Pott Row in December and into the New Year
Dec. 2ndto be arranged by local Methodists
Dec. 9thNo Morning Service; Carol Service at 6pm led by Mrs Jackie Austin
Dec. 16thNo Morning Service; 3pm Afternoon Worship and Holy
Communion with the Rev. Graham Thompson, Chair of East Anglia District
Dec. 23rdMr John Houghton at 10.30am
Christmas DayMr Stephen Watts at 10am
Dec. 30thUnited Service at Congham at 9am
Jan. 6th 2013to be arranged by local Methodists
Jan. 13thThe Rev. Mike Hall from RAF Marham 10.30am Covenant Service
Come and see the magic of the Christmas Trees at PottRowMethodistChurch!
Friday Dec. 7th and sat. Dec. 8th: Church open from 10am to 4pm, Mince Pies and Refreshments served;
SundayChurch open 2pm-4pm with Usual Cake and Fancy Goods Stalls
United Carol Service Sunday evening at 6.30pm led by Mrs Jackie Austin from Gaywood.
We would like to offer all our readers a very happy Christmas and the peace and love of Jesus be with us all in 2013.
Take a closer look at Wildlife Habitats
The WEA is holding as course on Wildlife Habitats at Burnham Market Village Hall, (off Creake Road) PE31 8EF on ten Thursday mornings from January 10th from 10am to 12 noon, Cost: £60. The Lecturer is Dr David Horsley who says “Come and explore Britain’s fabulous diversity of habitats. Learn more about their inhabitants and the fascinating ecology which makes it all tick.”
Interested? Just turn up on the day! – Or call Ingeborg Martin, Secretary, WEA Burnhams Branch. Tel 01328 730 452
Deadline for the JanuaryVillage Link
The January Village Link goes to press on December 31st.
It will appear in the second weekend of January.
Praying for You
If you would like church members to join you in your prayer for a concern you have, you might like to note it down on a ‘prayer-leaf’ on the prayer tree in GrimstonChurch, normally open each day until at least 4pm. This month, church members will be remembering in prayer the people who live in the Bracken Way area.
Hudson’s Fen Leisure Ltd. Reg. Charity number 1128787
Hudson Fen Leisure would like to invite all young people of the villages and any parents to an open meeting at the Village Hall to find out what they would like on the play area.
PLEASE COME ON THURSDAY 10TH JANUARY AT 7.30pm
To tell us your ideas
Thank you
Births, Deaths and Marriages
Alastair Clipsey CARVER of Station Road, Roydon, died on October 28th aged 81. His funeral took place at All Saints Church Roydon on November 8th followed by cremation at Mintlyn.
Little Sunshines Christmas Fair
SATURDAY 1ST DECEMBER
10am – 12pm
GRIMSTON VILLAGE HALL
RAFFLE Tombola
Cake Stall Lucky Ticket
REFRESHMENTS
Guess the Name of the Teddy
Guess the Weight of the Cake
Face Painting Hook The Duck
CHILDREN’S CRAFT STALL
And lots, lots, more……
Come along and join the FUN!!!
Registered charity number : 1127638
Anyone wishing to donate a prize for the Raffle or has anything that could go onto the Tombola Stall please contact Julie Morters 01485 609125. We would be extremely grateful.
All proceeds will go to the Little Sunshines Pre-School -
Please call 01485 601596 with any enquiries.
HollyMeadowsSchool
November has been a month for all of us from HollyMeadowsSchool to think of others in a number of ways.
We are very proud to say that the pupils held their own very special assembly led by some of the House Captains for Remembrance Day. They had organised to show the school a very informative video clip to help them to understand the significance of the poppies, the deep losses and the immense gratitude that we all associate with the 11th of the 11th. I am very proud of the confidence shown by the pupils who are taking on this responsibility and doing it so successfully, life-skills that could help them to be successful at an interview for a job, applying for a mortgage or giving a wedding speech!
We also had a great afternoon fund-raising for Children in Need. The School Council took full responsibility for organising the event and we all dressed up for the day in pyjamas, spots or fun clothes for a donation. We had delicious cakes made by our very supportive parents that sold in minutes! The School Council were, quite rightly, very proud of themselves.
Coming soon, we are planning for Anti-bullying Week when we will be ensuring the children get the message that Holly Meadows will not accept Bullying by anyone.
At the end of November; the school will be saying thank you to all those people who helped to create our lovely outdoor area and planting to develop our site with the help of some very willing volunteers. The Gaywood Valley Trust have made our beautiful pond possible through a huge amount of funding. And the oldest children will have been using their gardening skills at the end of National Tree Week in planting Pott Row Wood.
Finally, we are working hard to improve parking and raise safe driving standards around our school. We will be opening our playground earlier to try to phase the traffic in more smoothly and without hold up. We will be encouraging parents to use the car park instead of parking on the roads. We will also make sure that drivers are aware of the 5mph speed limit on our site. Norfolk County Council is putting in a speed bump to slow drivers down and we are grateful for that.
Don’t forget to book a place for the Tea Dance on Thursday December 6th. We have been practising our waltz and tango ready for giving you a spin round the dance floor – we are looking forward to seeing you there.
Our Christmas Play this year is to be a whole school Nativity extravaganza in St Botolph’s Church, Grimston, “Rock around the Flock!” starting at 6.30pm on Tuesday December 11th. We hope to charm and delight with a mixture of traditional carols, more modern Christmas songs, helping us all to remember the true message of Christmas. We hope you will join us.
Best wishes, Rachael Williams, Headteacher of Holly Meadows School
Used Postage Stamps
Thank you very much to those kind people who have already given me their used postage stamps for the Norfolk Ornithologists’ Association.
I am still collecting them and would be very grateful for further donations. With Christmas cards on their way very shortly it will be a good time to collect them. If you have time to cut them from the envelopes they need a margin of a quarter of an inch (1cm)but if you don't have time to do this I am happy to receive a bagful of envelopes and will sort them myself and dispose of the envelopes by shredding them. Please give me a call on 01485 600937 when you have stamps /envelopes for me to collect.
Thank you. Ann Gordon
Chase the January Blues away at the library
Library staff will be trying to entice more people in Norfolk to become a library member in the new year when they launch their annual Join Up January campaign.