OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
Home-made filler ideas –
Whether you’re a knitter – sewer – cutter – sticker or a bits and bobber – you’re sure to find something you can do that will be valuable to a needy child……both as a ‘filler’ and as a gift! For example – Fleece scarves made by cutting some fleece approximately 5’ long by 5” wide. Cut approx ½” wide strips on each end to ‘fringe’ the scarf. For the best effect make the fringes approx. 4” long.
For more fillers – don’t forget…….
McDonalds
Your local newsagent, for the comic freebies;
Printers – for paper off cuts throughout the year;
Charity shops for their unwanted cuddly toys and not forgetting shoe shops for unwanted shoeboxes to put everything in.
KNITTING CLUB
If you are thinking of doing something useful in the holidays why not come along to the next knitting club?
It is to be held in the Family Room at St Andrew’s on August 5th at 8.00pm. We would love to have some more knitters come along, and enjoy an evening with friends whilst doing something useful.
Drinks and Biscuits provided.
MORE TIPS AND WRINKLES
Cleaning
A paste of household bleach and bicarbonate of soda will clean and brighten up many surfaces and utensils in kitchen and bathroom.
Grease spots on wallpaper – place a piece of blotting paper on the wall and iron over it with a warm iron.
Black heel marks on light-coloured floors can be removed with turpentine or white spirit.
Clean ivory piano keys with a little toothpaste on a damp cloth. ‘Rinse’ with milk and polish off with a soft cloth.
Curtains and windows
Silicone spray polish keeps double glazing tracks and plastic curtain tracks smooth running.
Window cleaning alternative aids are:
A little vinegar in plain warm water.
Old newspaper crumpled into a ball and slightly dampened, polish off with dry newspaper.
Saucepans
If you have a stained saucepan, cook rhubarb or apple peel in it and the stains will disappear. Do not eat the rhubarb.
As an alternative treatment – cover the base of the pan with malt vinegar and boil for 10 minutes. It smells horrible but it works.
Avoid washing an omelette pan – wipe
around it with kitchen paper after use.
LAUGHTER
During a high school lesson, the teacher made her class discuss the various terms one might encounter in a restaurant. At one point she asked, “What does the phrase a la carte mean?” One student immediately quipped, “You’re in the wrong restaurant.”
The barrister was witnessing a case in court regarding financial aid. The judge asked the defendant if it was true that he lived with both his wife and his sister. The man confirmed that this was the case. “And who do you support?” enquired the judge. “Liverpool, Your Honour,” came the hasty reply.
The phone rang while Michael was waiting for the televised football results. Before answering the phone, he begged his wife to note Aston Villa’s score. When he returned, she announced that Villa had scored three goals. “And the result?” he demanded. “I don’t know,” his wife replied, “you didn’t ask me to listen for that.”
Sir Edward (Eddie) George, retired last month as Governor of the Bank of
England. His favourite one-liner:
There are three kinds of Economist - those who can't count and those who can!
PARISH COUNCIL MEETING 8PM VILLAGE HALL.
Below are the dates for the meetings for this year at the Village Hall.
1st September 03
6th October 03
3rd November 03
1st December 03
The meetings are open to the public and questions / issues can be raised at the end of each meeting.
A County Councillor, District Councillor and sometimes a representative from the Police Force are also at the meetings.
Generally the meetings will last for approximately two hours.
ALEY GREEN METHODIST
Our Sunday school will be breaking up for the summer holidays from July 20th and will re-open on Sunday 7th September at 11 am.
Dates for your Diary:
September 14th 11:00am Harvest festival;
September 15th 7:30pm Harvest auction; September 21st at 11:00 am All age worship led by The Live Circuit Players.
During September there will be a door to door collection for NCH.
October 11th 2:30pm The Autumn fayre
As the holiday season is once again approaching, we at Aley Green wish those you going away a happy and enjoyable time. We pray that you return relaxed and rested.
Ann Meader
ST ANDREW’S EVENTS
We are beginning to think ahead to the Harvest Supper (already …), which will be held in the Village Hall on Friday 26th September. This will be the normal mixture of fine food with top class, home grown entertainment. Watch out for tickets nearer the event and get yours early for this perennial favourite.
Quiz Nights also go down well here in Slip End and we are planning one for November. The date has yet to be fixed, so watch this space.
We are beginning to focus our thoughts on the costs of roof work on our church building: “our” church, implying that the building is a parish facility which is used by many of us in the community from time to time, not just the St A’s weekly congregation. As such, we will be be asked to dip hands into pockets a little deeper, so we will be asking for a bit more for tickets although there will be concessions. So please be understanding when tickets become available and look forward to enjoying these events again, at slightly increased prices!
SLIP END CUBS
(no more news so repeated from last month)
It's good to be back at Cub's after a break of 5 months on health grounds.
14th, 15th of June was a district camp held at Woburn and it was enjoyed by
all. Lots of water activities and plenty of sunshine. The boys were able
to do a lot of Scouting skills on this camp as they had two nights under
canvas.
Lorraine Crossett
With an increased distribution this month we would like to invite news and stories of interest from villagers, clubs and societies who do not usually participate.
Letters should by typed or on floppy disc or e-mailed. Many thanks, Editor.
WANTED
Anyone know this man? This was part of the rubbish that has been dumped outside St Andrew’s Church, along with an old mattress, old TV, old chairs, units and household rubbish. (see below) What an awful sight! If anyone knows who dumped it there please contact South Beds District Council on 01582 472222. Please keep your eyes open and be alert – take down car registration numbers if you see anyone dumping rubbish. This village is NOT a dumping ground so please help to stop it from becoming one.
Fly Tipping SBDC: 472222
SUMMER CAMP TO JERSEY 03
On Saturday 5th July a highly skilled and multi talented party of Slip Enders embarked on their epic voyage to Jersey with two cars and ten harps. It all began around two years ago when Slip End’s international Harpist Margaret Knight played in some concerts in the Channel Islands. Many will remember Margaret, better known locally as Dot, giving concerts at St Andrew’s. Following on from the concerts a local Jersey man Mike Wavell, no less than a previous Home Secretary of the Island State’s Parliament, summoned Dot to instruct his daughter Evangeline in the gentle art of playing the harp. He invited Dot to run a summer music course in his recently purchased and beautifully renovated Methodist Church .The date was set for July 2003.
The party comprised of Dot herself, Chris Fleet of Frog & Rhubarb fame who was appointed Head Chef, Stephanie Crossett, Head Trainee, Ken Crossett, Chief Roadie and Louise Cole from Flamstead, Chief Dogsbody. Six young harpists from Beds, Bucks and Herts completed the group.
Dot planned the week to coincide with the Jersey International Flower Festival for which she was invited to play the opening concert; at dawn!! i.e. 4.30 am. Dot was fairly reasonable allowing everyone two hours sleep before the first three hour workshop session began, after Ken and Chris skillfully manoeuvred only ten harps onto the stage and rehearsals began. Relief for all came when Dot disappeared to play another concert. Sleep at last but no. Mike invited all and sundry to a grand barbeque at his house. We sat around Mike’s water feature in his back garden, a full size lake complete with geese and herons. The food wasn’t bad either. Sleep eventually came on a full stomach. Monday, three hours rehearsal began promptly at 9 am to prepare for Thursday’s concert.
Virtuoso meals, to the high standard of the Frog & Rhubarb, were happily consumed by the Artistes. Chris amazed and delighted all with his culinary creations. For more details you may contact him at the Frog on 01582 452722
In the afternoon a visit was arranged to Gerald Durrall’s Zoo for endangered species. Dot gave another concert and Louise took some splendid photos.
Tuesday’s rehearsals began not quite so promptly at 9.30. The kitchen staff, Chris and Ken, were in the midst of breakfast washing up when Mike appeared with one of his many visitors. This particular one was introduced as Lady Bailhache, “call me Linda” she says while hands were quickly degreased. At lunch time Dot felt a mutiny was brewing and gave in to demands for retail therapy on St Helier High Street. Reluctantly, Dot agreed to this when it was pointed out that this would be a financial education session exploring VAT or lack of. All this education was overpowering for some and so a trip to the beach was necessary. Dot of course insisted there ought to be some artistic value to this. Having tired of rehearsing, the students requested a photo shoot of their harps at sunset. Chris and Ken yet again skillfully maneuvered five harps to the beach and did various David Bailey impersonations. Lily Rose-Wilson (9) expressed her aspirations to become a world famous harpist by donning her Alice Band, which was black with red devil horns, and good girl, bad girl wand. The sunset was dramatic turning the sea blood red. Dot cheered - you have to work like a devil to play like an Angel.
Wednesday, BBC Radio Jersey popped in to see if any harpists had the time to give an interview. Sophie Mayhew and Kathryn Inglis abandoned decorum to become radio stars. By this time it was becoming apparent that Thursday’s little concert was to be presented to a larger audience than had been anticipated. Channel Island TV was invited. No pressure then! Thank goodness Gorey Church congregation were willing to listen to us that evening. Another long days work in the Office!
Thursday dawns at about 10.30am with the final concert looming in the evening. There was an inkling that something special may be happening that evening when St Heliers Parks department turned up with lorry loads of plants to adorn the Church. Final touches to the painted ceiling accompanied the morning’s fraught rehearsal. The printed programme was delivered and studied. At this point it was discovered that the Harp Ensemble would be joined by international cellist Gerard Le Feuvre, Operatic Soprano, Imogen Nicholls and award winning Holme Chase Choir.
There were to be addresses by Sir Peter Crill a previous Bailiff of Jersey, Mike Wavell and Lady Bailhache. Oh! her husband happens to be the current Bailiff, he came too in the official limousine. Many of us will know the bailiff of Jersey is the equivalent of the UK’s Prime Minister. Nobody special then. You may wonder how the girls performed. Well plans are afoot for an expedition next year not just to Jersey but to Madera as well! Many thoughts were taken away from Jersey but there is one which is poignant. Throughout the week there were many visitors to the old Methodist Church. Once it had been a thriving part of the community but as numbers and local interest dwindled it fell into disrepair and became almost derelict. Mike Wavell restored it and it is now to be used a community centre. The visitors spent time reminiscing recalling their wedding, children’s christenings and family funerals. At home here at St Andrews the small congregation are just about able to meet the annual running costs of around £23000. No financial assistance is available from the Diocese. The Church has made a point of not asking for help from the Village, yet many Villagers use it now and again not just for these large family occasions, but also to attend the more significant Services such as at Christmas and on Remembrance Day. If the Village is looking for St Andrews to be there for it in the future perhaps next time you visit or if you hear of an Appeal or function being staged to raise funds you will remember the near fate of the Jersey Church and make a meaningful contribution.
Margaret Knight & Ken Crossett
Ken, Stephanie and Margaret get ready for the summer course.
Stephanie
with some of the younger pupils at the summer school
The
beautiful restored chapel
Sunset
on the beach with harp
Margaret
on the shore in Jersey
Little
Lily-Rose complete with wand and devil horns!
EDITORS CHOICE
The Gardeners’ Hymn – to the tune of All things bright and beautiful.
All things bright and beautiful
All creatures great and small
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.
But what we never mention though gardeners know it’s true,
Is when He made the goodies He made the baddies too.
All things spray and swattable
Disasters great and small
All things paraquatable
The Lord God made them all.
The green fly on the roses, the maggots in the peas,
Manure that fills our noses, He also gave us these.
All things spray and swattable etc.
The fungus on the goose-gogs, the club root on the greens
The slugs that eat the lettuce and chew the aubergines
All things spray and swattable etc.
The drought that kills the fuchsias, the frost that nips the buds
The rain that drowns the seedlings, the blight that hits the spuds.
All things spray and swattable etc.
The midges and mosquitoes the nettles and the weeds,
The pigeons in the green stuff, the sparrows on the seeds.
All things spray and swattable etc.
The fly that gets the carrots, the wasp that eats the plums,
How black the gardener’s outlook, though green may be his thumbs.
All things spray and swattable etc.
But still we gardeners labour midst vegetables and flowers
And pray what hits our neighbours’ will somehow bypass ours.
Finally, a poem from Patience Strong to end my column with. I hope you all have a very happy summer break and the sun shines down on you.
If there’s a job you simply hate,
A task you’d like to shun,
I guess the sooner you begin
The sooner you’ll be done.
But when the wretched job is done,
And there’s an end of it,
My, aren’t you thankful that somehow
You’d too much pride to quit?
Happy Holidays from Sue Cowell,Editor
Who has
noticed these lovely Lamas’ residing at Woodside Animal Farm? Its not the usual thing to see when driving through the countryside and certainly makes a change from horses!
They is plenty of action throughout the holidays and well worth a visit and it is local!
August 6th – Fun, games and magic for all the children. 13 & 20 August Reptile Celebrations
August 25th Magical Entertainment & August 27th Seaside special at the Farm.
Also – Free tractor rides, free space walk, Crazy golf, pony & trap rides, bouncy castle etc….
Our pages are also published on www.slipend.co.uk,
reaching a far wider community
than our local area. If you have not been on line yet, take a look; as well as local news
there are bulletin boards, forums, pictures and other items, all of local interest.
PLEASE NOTE – ALL CONTRIBUTORS
Articles for the September issue of Parish News should be passed, by 15th August
or earlier please, to Sue Cowell, 83 The Crescent, Caddington (733507),
New address:- e-mail: parishnews@slipend.co.uk
Parish News distribution queries? Please contact
Brian Church on 01 582 4584
Anonymous material will not be published, however names may be withheld on request.
Parish News reserves editorial rights
Thanks to our printers Hardy Clarke Creative Ltd Tel: 749991
This month the Frog & Rhubarb have sponsored the distribution of Parish News throughout the Village.
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2 Summer Street, Slip End.
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Brian Church (i/c distribution 458443)
Slip End Parish News 2003-4
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