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SERVICES & DIARY SEPTEMBER
SERVICES
Sunday 5th September
The Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity 10.00 am Parish Eucharist (CW) President & Preacher: Rev. Nicholas Burton, Minister: The Vicar,
10.00 am Family Service at the Church Centre + Zoom 6.30 pm Sung Evensong (BCP)
Minister & Preacher: Tim Cripps
Sunday 12th September
Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity 10.00 am Parish Eucharist with Baptism President: The Vicar Minister & Preacher: Tim Cripps
10.00 am Family Service at the Church Centre + Zoom
6.30 pm Sung Evensong (BCP) Minister & Preacher: The Vicar
Sunday 19th September
Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity
Matthew the Apostle & Evangelist 10.00 am Parish Eucharist (CW) President: The Vicar, Minister & Preacher: Tim Cripps
10.00 am Family Service at the Church Centre + Zoom
6.30 pm Sung Evensong (BCP) Minister & Preacher: The Vicar
Sunday 26th September
Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity 10.00 am Sung Matins (BCP) Minister & Preacher: Tim Cripps
10.00 am Family Service at the Church Centre + Zoom with Baptism 6.30 pm Parish Eucharist (BCP) President & Preacher: The Vicar
DIARY
Monday 13th September 8.00 pm Standing Committee in the Lodge
Monday 27th September
8.00 pm PCC meeting in the Lodge
Saturday 25th September 10.00 am Choir recording at the Parish Church all day
From the Registers
Baptisms
we welcome as newly baptised members of the
church: Emily Louisa Oakenford
Elizabeth-Grace Cosham-Elam Mollie May Head
Marriages
we ask God to bless the marriage of: Catherine Bannister and Richard Houghton
Rebecca Osbourne and Samuel Spence
Deaths
the sympathy of the Parish is extended to the
family and friends of: John Dennis Turner
Magazine Article Deadlines 12th September for October 7th October for November
14th November for December/January
The time between the deadline and magazine issue is to
allow for typing, formatting, proofreading, and compiling
the magazine. These all take time and have to be fitted
around the volunteer editorial team’s other commitments.
We would therefore be very grateful if you would keep to
the deadlines set. Please send items for publication to
Magazines are posted on the Parish website on the 1st of
the month. Photocopies of the magazine can be made
available to those who cannot access the magazine online.
Please contact Ginette di Palma at the Church Office (TW
521447) to arrange production and collection/delivery.
From the Vicarage
Dear Friends,
I hope you’ve all been able to have some rest and relaxation during the summer, and that you are ‘raring to go’ as we get settled into life under the ‘new normal’. I would like to thank the head teacher of Rusthall St Paul’s school, Ms Caroline Powell, and the entire staff, the governors and Friends of Rusthall School (FORS)
for their commitment and hard work to ensure that the school continues to be a place where everyone flourishes and attains their potential.
I would also like to thank everyone involved in the Community Pay Back Scheme, especially the teams that help to keep the Parish Churchyard looking pristine. They have been doing a fantastic job in making the grounds and graves look well loved and cared for. Here is a photo of one volunteer ‘applying his trade’ for the enhancement of the Churchyard and the pleasure and benefit of all who visit or use the church. We have
numerous benches at the parish church – and much grass where you could sit in tranquillity to rest or reflect and to enjoy the sounds of nature and the surroundings.
In my previous letter, I mentioned a few things that help me ‘stay calm in crisis and resolute during challenging times’. I would like to add one other thing that has been refreshingly relaxing: spending time with our many and numerous pets, especially the chickens and Ben’s cockatiel. I can sincerely state that each animal, with its own peculiarity, in some way exudes blissfully joyful calm. For a long time I tried to resist naming the chickens or referring to them by the names given to them by the rest of the family. This, however, changed recently. We hatched some
chicken eggs in April and Ben proceeded to name all thirteen chicks that hatched – and one in particular seems to be living up to her name. Interestingly, nine of the thirteen chicks turned out to be cockerels. One of the hens, Dare Devil - DD for short - has no inhibitions or sense of fear in a reassuring but strange way. She will not only follow you around but will jump/fly onto your shoulder or head, and if you are sitting she would calmly jump on your lap. I know some may find this annoying but her actions always make me smile and somehow helps me to be thankful for ‘the little pleasures of life’ – and, in the words of a Monty Python song, to ‘always look on the bright side of life’.
I pray that God will enable us to take pleasure in our surroundings and find pleasure in the mundane things of our daily life.
G. S. Anderson Gardening and Maintenance
Service
Do you need help with your gardening
or decorating?
Cannot manage the mowing?
Fed up with the weeding?
Want to cut out the pruning?
Need small decorating jobs done?
Why not give me a call – I will do most
gardening and decorating jobs
Contact me on 01892 532922
or 07879 245793
to discuss your needs
From the Editorial Team
September – the month in which we officially make the transition to autumn – although as far as I’m
concerned it’s been feeling like autumn for most of August! The summer has at last seen a return to
something more like ‘normal’ life though, even though Covid-19 infection rates remain stubbornly high. I
have taken part in my first concert since February 2020 and the Choir has sung a weekend’s services at St
Alban’s Cathedral. Weddings and funerals are starting to look more normal again and families have been
getting together at last.
The summer has at last seen a full programme of sports, although some have looked rather different. How
odd it was to see Olympic competition in vast, empty venues with field athletes especially trying desperately
to whip up support for their efforts from the few dozen coaches and fellow athletes allowed to spectate. The
Paralympic Games have now started and continue to 5th September, with the usual stories of titanic efforts to
overcome disabilities. I marvelled at the fitness levels of the Olympic Rugby Sevens players, but the
Paralympic wheelchair rugby players, nicknamed ‘Murderball’, were no less awe-inspiring and the British
team secured a first ever Gold Medal. I have been watching cycling mainly, it seemed while making cakes.
There have been some limits on crowds gathering at the start and finish of daily stages and up some of the
steep climbs but it has been lovely to see the usual line of people all along the route. Crowd restrictions were
as much to reduce the threat of forest fires as Covid, with continental Europe sweltering under a heatwave
which sadly did not nudge up over the English Channel. The Vuelta a España finishes on 5th September but
that date also marks the start of a week-long Tour of Britain, so no break in the cycling calendar.
Locally we need to be aware of the return of the Hospice 5 and 10 kilometre runs, which will be taking place
on Sunday 19th September. There will be road closures, including Major Yorks Road and Langton Road,
which will interfere with access to and from church that morning. Look out for further details about the
timings of closures in the pew leaflet. It often means that the congregation is trapped at church for a rather
extended coffee after the service. Perhaps we should mark the fact that it is the national ‘Talk like a Pirate
Day’ and make it a themed party – Aarh! Pieces of Eight!
There are several literary-inspired awareness days this month. Appropriate for the start of a new school year,
it is the UN International Literacy Day on 8th September. It is estimated that around 14 per cent of the global
population is illiterate. On a positive note, the levels of illiteracy have fallen a lot in recent decades (in just
1980, world illiteracy was at 43 per cent!). However, there are still enormous differences between regions. In
sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia, illiteracy remains around 30 per cent and this traps those people in
poverty. On 13th September it is Roald Dahl Day, creator of some of our favourite characters such as Charlie
and the chocolate maker Willy Wonka, Matilda Wormwood and Miss Trunchbull, Sophie and the BFG and
Danny the Champion of the World, then on 22nd it is Hobbit day, this being the birthday of both Bilbo and
Frodo Baggins.
The 11th September also marks the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001, using 4 hijacked
aeroplanes against the World Trade Centre Twin Towers, the Pentagon and United Airlines Flight 93, whose
target has never been firmly established. It was these attacks which led to the invasion of Afghanistan just
two months later because the controlling Taliban regime was suspected of harbouring Osama bin Laden, who
led the Al Qaeda group which masterminded the attacks. Although the Taliban was initially removed from
government quite quickly, they vowed to continue fighting for as long as foreign troops remained in
Afghanistan, and this they have done. Although elections have been held in recent years, it has become all
too clear that, even with guidance and training by NATO, the current government was not able to withstand
the Taliban without direct military support and the speed with which the Taliban has gained control of the
country in the wake of American troop withdrawal has taken many by surprise. The fearful scenes at Kabul
Airport in the last few days of August have been difficult to watch and it now seems that we can do little but
hold the people of Afghanistan in our prayers.
The photo on the cover was taken by my friend, Richard Brown, while on holiday in Skye. Please send any
articles for the October magazine to the office or email to [email protected] by the rather
scarily early deadline of 7th October, if possible. Sue is off on holiday mid-month so we want to get cracking
early.
Deborah Bruce, Sue Hare and Mione Palmer
Churchwardens’ Notes
Dear fellow Parishioners
Weare pleased to advise the repair to the lodge wall is virtually complete and the tanalised timber will have it’s spirit-based preservative applied in approximately three weeks when the new timber has dried out. Unfortunately, we are still awaiting the Diocesan architects visit to determine the issue of the ceiling above the lectern; we are currently in the process of chasing him up but until this issue is resolved the lectern must remain roped off for our collective safety. We are also seeking a company who can clear the
gutters and valleys of our churches. We live in eager anticipation that these knotty issues will be in hand by the time of our next wardens’ notes but we are not holding our breath. We are pleased however to report that our attendance figures are gradually rising and we are very pleased to welcome back members of our congregations who now feel it safe to return and share our Sunday worship. Lastly the position of after service coffee coordinator is still waiting to be filled, hopefully a willing volunteer will emerge to take on this position.
Clive would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who sent get well cards and for your collective wishes following his operation, and with his new bionic hip he is looking forward to swimming in very high-speed circles when allowed. Love and peace
May and Clive
Ride and Stride
Saturday September 11th 2021
This year’s Friends of Kent Churches’ Ride and Stride is definitely going ahead; a welcome relief after the uncertainty of last year. Despite that over £133,800 was raised in 2020, including an extra £18,000 via gift aid. Sponsorship forms and more information about
the charity are available from www.kentrideandstride.co.uk or from local organiser Jane Goldsworthy. All that is required is for you to get around as many churches as you can in any way – walk, cycle, even horse ride - .between 10am and 6pm on Saturday 11th September. As usual Ian and I will be riding around the Romney Marsh churches on our tandem and are already collecting together a good number to accompany us – more are definitely welcome. Last year we had 3 tandems out which was fun.
The Marsh is an ideal area for children to cycle on as the roads are very flat and quiet and the route can be expanded or reduced to suit all abilities (the important thing is to include the most beautiful churches and those which provide the best cakes!!!). It would be great to have a children’s group out this year as we have done in the past. We will also need volunteers to sit for an hour at a time in each church to record the walkers and cyclists as they come through and providing simple refreshments. There is a sign up board at the back of the Church and Church Centre for those who
are able to help with this. Church sitters can also be sponsored. If you are interested in taking part in any way – manning a church at St Pauls, walking or cycling in Tunbridge Wells or Romney Marsh please contact me.
Jane Goldsworthy 07846 266085
www.RusthallVets.co.uk
20 ASHLEY GARDENS, RUSTHALL,
TUNBRIDGE WELLS, KENT, TN4 8TU.
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Saturday 9.00-11.00 am closed
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Tel: (01892) 522462 (two lines) Fax: (01892) 533807
Secretarial Services
1 High Street Rusthall TN4 8RL
01892 515188 [email protected]
Faxing Photocopying
Typing Handmade Greetings Cards
Stationery Items
A Musical Note
We had a wonderful choir camp week at the start of August. With there still being so much COVID around we didn’t feel it was sensible to have our usual trips out to the beach or to London or to have a sleepover this year. Instead the children came to church every day where we rehearsed the music for our trip to sing at St Albans Cathedral, sang through some of the music for the CD and
learnt some songs which fitted with our themes for the week. We had a dual theme this year: with it being the Olympics we wanted to make that a focus, but we were also going to sing at St Albans and so we combined the Olympics with a study of St Alban and of the Romans. If it all sounds rather eccentric then you would have a pretty good picture of how the week unfolded! We had thirty-one children this year and they were split into two teams. The teams competed throughout the week in the Choir Olympiad which included a team gymnastics competition, performing their own arrangement of Chariots of Fire (one team did this on kazoos whilst the other made use of their brass players) and drama performances from Julius Caesar and Ben Hur. Each team also completed a 42 kilometre marathon, took part in a chariot race having designed their own St Alban themed chariots and one team actually constructed The Colosseum using hymn books. We had a game of Crounders (choir rounders) which included being attacked with a sponge as you tried to get to the first base, a game of quick cricket and our very own Olympic contest put together by Rosie with discus, shot put, the triple jump sprint (hilarious) and some running races. There was a shooting competition using water guns and aiming at human targets and on the last day a delicious BBQ
and our traditional Friday morning of choir camp game of Cowboys and Indians. The children had a lovely week so a huge thank you to all of the adults involved for making it such good fun for them and in particular to James, Jennifer, Nic, May, Rosie, Caroline, Tony, Debbie and Rose and thanks as well to our brilliant team captains Thomas and Alex. The weekend after choir camp, the choir went to sing at St Albans Cathedral. This was our first choir weekend away since our trip to Wiesbaden in 2017. We sang for Evensong on the Saturday
and then for both the Eucharist and Evensong services on the Sunday. Having had so little time to prepare for this weekend with it only being in
the last few weeks that we have been able to come back and sing together, I was a bit nervous about how the weekend would go. I needn’t have worried! The choir were absolutely amazing and it was a super weekend. It felt so good to be back properly singing again and to get to spend the weekend together after having had such a long time apart. The lady who had presided over all three of our services was extremely complimentary about our singing and we have been asked to come back and sing there again very soon. We were accompanied for the weekend by Alex Robson who played really well and wowed us all with some incredible organ voluntaries. This was
Alex’s penultimate weekend playing for us as he has now moved into Windsor Castle where he is spending his gap year as organ scholar at St George’s Chapel, Windsor. We wish him so much luck for this year and then as he moves to St John’s College, Cambridge next year to study music and becomes an organ scholar there. All four of our A-Level students gained the necessary grades to go to their first choice universities and our four GCSE students did incredibly well in their results with none of them getting any grade below a 7 (an A grade) which is amazing.
Fiona Johnson
An Alternative Approach
In a Vacuum
A guy was playing Trivial Pursuit one night…. it was his turn. He rolled the dice and landed on Science and Nature. His question was ‘If you are in a vacuum and someone calls your name, can you hear it?’ He thought for a time and then asked ‘is it on or off?’
MR JOLLY CHIMNEY SWEEP 27 Apsley Street, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 8NU
Tel: 01892 618324 Mobile: 07752 130577
Honest Reliable Friendly Service
Free Smoke Test, Certificate Issued
No Mess, No Fuss
Please help us to preserve the church buildings
and ministry by leaving a legacy to St Paul’s
Rusthall in your will.
Thank you
Easy Payment Terms
Income from magazine sales is important to us at St Paul’s. If everyone paid the £1 cover charge
we would raise over £1500 a year, which would not only cover the cost
of producing the magazine but also contribute to other costs such as
leasing the photocopier. If you often find yourself fumbling
for the right change, perhaps you might like to pay in advance for a
year’s “subscription”, 10 issues for
the sum of £10, (you might even feel
tempted to be more generous!) Your contributions are much appreciated.
Please make cheques payable to
St Paul’s Church, Rusthall and send them to the Parish Office
Tamarix Holiday Bungalow, Winchelsea Beach
Tamarix is a 2 bedroom Visit England Accredited bungalow situated in a no-through road, and set in a large fenced shingle and grassed garden. It is ideal for those looking for a quiet and comfortable self-catering accommodation to enjoy a tranquil break along the stunning Sussex coast. Sleeping four, the cottage can be used for a wonderful family holiday or just a cosy break for two. Pets are welcome by arrangement and Tamarix is perfectly situated for walking, bird watching, cycling, and the beach. Holidays are on a weekly basis only in high season, but short breaks may be possible at other times.
Weeks for 2021 (April to October) are available from £400 per week
Please call 01892 528538 or email [email protected]
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We are your local family run
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Down the Garden Path
There is so much ‘gloom and doom’ bearing down
on us from every direction that I decided to concentrate on all the beauty to be found and enjoyed in the garden with so many plants heavy with blossom – then what happened? Rain poured down and made the flowers heavy with water and unable to cope with the fierce wind which followed and caused havoc in the borders! Roses in particular were badly affected and turned into mushy balls which were unable to open. So, out came the secateurs and snips and now most plants are ready to start again.
Undaunted by the weather are the Acanthus, also known as ‘Bears’ breeches’, which have remained a sturdy and straight six feet tall clump.
Since the worst of the weather seems to have passed (for now!) I have been delighted to see lots of dainty, Holly Blue butterflies; in spite of their name they seem to prefer the ivy which grows in abundance up my beech hedge. The caterpillars feed on ivy or holly so maybe the butterflies prefer the less-prickly leaves on which to lay their eggs! Moving away from pretty insects to annoying animals – I was recently given a birthday card which was impregnated with wild flower seeds!
Following the instructions, I moistened the card, covered it lightly on a prepared area of earth and looked forward to seeing what happened. What
happened was that our marauding fox dug it up and trotted off with it! (I hadn’t realised that it was his birthday too!) On the subject of birthdays, my two resident blackbirds have successfully raised a second brood, just two this time; there were three earlier in the year. On both occasions the nest was in the ivy – a very popular place!
Elsie Emes
Safeguarding Is Everyone’s
Responsibility It is important that St Paul’s provides a safe environment for children, young people and vulnerable adults, where they are safe, feel safe and know that they can turn for help if they need it. This will only be achieved if we all play our part. RECOGNISE the signs that could indicate abuse is happening. RESPOND sensitively and listen- don’t question or investigate.
RECORD what you have been told factually and accurately using the language used by the person disclosing. REPORT immediately to your church safeguarding officer/diocesan safeguarding advisor. Your safeguarding officers in the parish are May Graves and Daphne Pilcher. We would like to remind anybody who works with children or vulnerable people in the church centre
and the parish church that you need to undertake safeguarding training at different levels depending on your role. If you are not sure which level you need to do please contact May or Daphne. Or if you want to know any more about safeguarding please contact us.
May Graves
The Parish Fellowship I am glad to report that on August 11th we had a
meeting of the Committee, the first time for 16 months. All the committee were able to attend, and it was very good to be together again. We decided to have a trial meeting of the Fellowship in September, probably on Thursday 9th September. - Members will be getting a letter about this. It will just be a social evening, with a chance to discuss what we feel about details of meetings in the future. Let’s hope most of you will be able to come, and new members are always welcome. There is nothing more to report at this stage, but hopefully before too long we may be able to have proper meetings again.
Gillian Penny
Birdwatching
My friend wondered why there were so few birds on
his bird feeders, then discovered he was not the only
birdwatcher in his garden!
Deborah Bruce
Blackham Village Hall – Re-opening
We are delighted to confirm that following recent Government
announcements we now feel able to re-open the village hall safely. The hall
has had a thorough deep clean and is now all sparkly ready to welcome
everyone back. The monthly markets will re-start on
SATURDAY 7 AUGUST 10 – 12.30 PM
There will be a slightly different look with fewer stalls and more space for the
Café so you can meet your friends and we can keep everyone safe. Don’t worry though, all your favourite stalls will
still be there! Please bear with us as we implement the changes and new ways of doing things (NB: please note
that at the moment we can only take cash).
We very much look forward to seeing you again
We are happy to be able to continue our fortnightly film screenings. We are operating in line with Covid precautions and limiting numbers to about 50% of full capacity to allow extra space between groups separated by a table. Four wall mounted industrial ventilation fans will force fresh air in at one end of the hall and extract stale air at the other.
Tickets are available to be bought online and door sales will be minimised. The ticket store is at www.ticketsource.co.uk/rusthall-community-cinema where assigned seats may be reserved and paid for in advance. Those preferring to avoid online purchase may send an email to [email protected] including a phone number where they will be called back within 48 hours to allow payment to be taken over the telephone.
We are asking visitors to have had their second Covid vaccination two weeks before the show or be willing show a negative test result taken up to 24 hours before. Free test kits are available by next day post from Gov.uk or from local chemists. On the evening please wear a mask at least while standing.
As before doors open at 7pm and we have 20 - 30 minutes of entertainment related to the theme of the main film before starting the feature film at about 8pm.
We are now permanently moving the post-film discussion group to a next day online Zoom call. If you can join us from 11:30am on Sunday please do so using Meeting ID: 974 2567 8900 and password: 281.
Saturday 11th September 2021 at 7pm
Out of Africa (1985, Cert PG, Biography, Drama, Romance, 2hr41min)
Director: Sydney Pollack Cast: Meryl Streep, Robert Redford, Klaus Maria Brandauer
A tale of colonial life based on the adventures of Karen Blixen. Karen (Meryl Streep) arrives in Africa in 1914 and marries Baron Bror Blixen-Finecke (Klaus Maria Brandauer). Their marriage soon cools into a 'civilised' separation, but Karen finds herself falling in love with the wild, unfamiliar country and its people. Then she meets handsome, fiercely independent hunter Denys Finch Hatton (Robert Redford), and a hesitant romance ensues.
Saturday 25h September 2021 at 7pm
Withnail And I (1987, Cert 15, Comedy, Drama, 1hr47min)
Director: Bruce Robinson Cast: Richard E. Grant, Paul McGann, Richard Griffiths
Bruce Robinson's celebrated cult comedy starring Richard E. Grant and Paul McGann. It's the end of the 1960s and two out-of-work actors, Withnail (Grant) and 'I' (McGann), subsist on a diet of booze, drugs and fags in their revolting Camden flat. In order to escape the depressing nexus of visits from their dealer and the months of untouched washing-up, they escape to the country, with the intention of getting some R and R at a cottage owned by Withnail's uncle Monty (Richard Griffiths). However, things do not exactly go as planned, Withnail being particularly unsuited to the quiet social mores of country people. The pair's friendship starts to become sorely tested amid the vicissitudes of their 'holiday'. More ominously, Uncle Monty appears in person seemingly with something of an eye for 'I'.
Poems for September
As the bridge between Summer and Autumn, September is in many ways a time of new beginnings,
especially for the young. The first two poems reflect the anxiety that can be part of any new chapter, however exciting. And the final playful poem offers poetry itself as a powerful elixir in our daily life.
Susan Barber
Hornbeacon High
The building is white, ivy eating its way up the broken walls, windows small and scratched. Most students are pulling at one another and squealing, basking in their easy friendly reunions. But I study those who are alone, at the edge of this noise, the kids holding their school bags close, keeping their eyes down, so I can impersonate their invisibility. Sarah Crossan, extract from a verse novel “One”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Amelia Earhart
‘….fears are paper tigers.’
A ribbon in her hair and mud on her dress Amelia climbs too high then, like any other child in a tree, blinks at the dizzying ground and sky. Amelia spreads the map on her knees
to light the Atlantic with her torch. She taps the fuel gauge, adjusts her course. The stars seemed near enough to touch.
Amelia’s red Vega roars around a world of cloud and sun and time, and whenever a child defeats her fears, Amelia still climbs. Mandy Coe
Take A Poem
Why not take a poem wherever you go? pop it in your pocket nobody will know Take it to your classroom stick it on the wall
tell them all about it read it in the hall Take it to the bathroom tuck it up in bed take the time to learn it keep it in your head Take it for a day trip take it on a train fold it as a hat when it starts to rain Take it to a river
fold it as a boat pop it in the water hope that it will float Take it to the hilltop fold it as a plane throw it up skywards time and time again Take it to a post box send it anywhere out into the world with tender loving
care James Carter
Fair Trade Cafe and
Rusthall Fair Trade Group
The Rusthall Fair Trade group has been going since 2004 with a monthly cafe held in the URC and Fair Trade stalls held at both the Parish Church and Family Service also on a monthly basis. At the time the group was founded, Tunbridge Wells was working towards becoming a Fair Trade Town, which it achieved in 2007. St. Paul’s also pledged to become a Fair Trade Church at about the same time.
The idea behind the group and the cafe was to promote the concept of Fair Trade whereby small scale producers, mostly in developing countries, were paid a fair price for their goods. FT prices
also include a little extra to enable producers to afford basic health care and education for their children. As was said at the time “Fair trade teaches us that consumers are not condemned only to be bargain hunters….Fair trade reminds us that trade is about people, their livelihoods, their families, and, sometimes, their survival.”
The concept of Fair Trade grew rapidly, much of this increase being as a result of the growing number of supermarkets which started to market products under their own label but with the fair trade certification mark which resulted in a better deal for very many poor producers. The
availability of Fair Trade goods in most supermarkets has lessened the importance of having a Fair Trade outlet in the village and even before the pandemic our sales had been slowly decreasing and we have reluctantly decided that unless a group of enthusiasts offer to take it on and run it, our cafe on September 25th will be our last.
We have had some memorable times over the years, notably the Fair Trade fashion show in 2005, featuring, among others, Bob Whyte, our previous vicar. In the 17 years we have been running we have sent over £13,000 to Traidcraft Exchange - profits from the Fashion show, cafe and traidcraft sales. We will be sad if we have to stop, but I have just read the minutes of the meeting we held in 2005 and with a few additions, and losses, they are the same people who ran the last cafe before lockdown. Several members of the Fair Trade Cafe team are now no longer able to help and the others are ready to have a break!! I will continue to be a Fair Trader and am always happy to put in an order for anyone who wants one and have continued to do so over the last 18 months for a very small group of loyal customers. I hope you will also continue to buy Fair Trade in the supermarkets - it really does make a huge
difference for small scale producers who are struggling to make a living.
Liz Goddard
TWODS - Destination Anywhere
TWODS have been busy behind the scenes preparing our triumphant return to The Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells this autumn. Our new show, Destination Anywhere - A Musical Journey, features a medley of musical numbers from around the world and will be on stage 23-27 November 2021.
Having performed in Tunbridge Wells for over 130
years, 2020 was the first year TWODS hasn’t put on a show since the Second World War!
TWODS Chair, June Fuller says:
“After a long 18 months away from the theatre, we are extremely excited to be coming back doing what we love, entertaining audiences in the town. We have been working incredibly hard behind the scenes to come back with a bang and this show certainly won’t disappoint. We look forward to welcoming old friends back into the theatre and introducing a new generation to our shows.”
The show will be on Wednesday to Saturday at 7.30 pm, with matinees at 2.30 pm on Wednesday
and Saturday. Tickets cost £24/£22 for matinees and £25/£23 for evenings. Discount of £1 for Children/Seniors and for parties of 10+ (excl. Sat evening).
If you would like tickets then contact Shirley and Paul 'Bill' Barter who can save you £3 off these prices on each ticket, which is the Assembly Hall booking fee.
Paul Barter
Historic Churches of Kent
and our History - Part 6
St Michael’s church, East Peckham is a church deserted by its village. It is now a redundant church standing alone on a hilltop well removed from the village. And believe me it is a scramble to reach it – off Seven Mile Lane you go up a very narrow winding lane. Fortunately the only traffic we met was a farm vehicle going in the same direction as us. When you reach the small piece of rough land where you can park you still have to ascend a fair distance up uneven stony paths and somewhat broken grass steps. However once you get to the top the church stands amid beech trees and has a glorious view overlooking the Medway valley and you can look
out on to the Kentish Weald.
It was over time that the settlement of East Peckham – possibly rather more scattered farms than an actual village – moved closer to the river with its useful means of communication leaving the church in isolation. In 1842 the church of Holy Trinity was built far more in the centre of the then village. Today you can still see the footpath snaking across the fields from St. Michael’s to the village but attending church must have been a real problem, even to a generation far more used to walking than we are today.
The name Peckham probably comes from the Old
English meaning a village by a hill, and many medieval churches on high ground are dedicated to St. Michael, as appearances of the saint in early church history were invariable on hilltops.
The church consists of a west tower, nave, chancel, south aisle and south chapel together with a south porch and north vestry. To the west of the tower is a concrete capping that covers an early well which may have supplied weary travellers and worshippers with drinking water. Until its accidental destruction by fire in 2005 an 18th century stable stood outside the lychgate, providing stabling for those arriving at church on horseback.
The main part of the church dates back to the Norman period with 13th and 14th century rebuilding. The nave pillars are 14th century as are
the nave arches while the south porch dates to the following century. The west tower is topped by a small spirt which boasts a weather vane, the original one being dated 1704.
The interior of the church is surprising light and spacious. The hood moulds protecting the windows show a fascinating collection of carved heads including several figures with their tongues sticking out. The south chapel, which started out as a chantry chapel where masses were said for the souls of departed benefactors, became, after the abolition of chantries in the 16th century, the private pew for the occupants of Roydon Hall. In 1557 Thomas Roydon who gave his name to the nearby mansion is buried here. His daughter Elizabeth married William Twysden and for the next three hundred years Roydon Hall was one of the two Kentish seats of this family. The church features various memorials to the Twysden family and a royal coat of arms of George 2nd dated 1740.
Near the Altar is an unusual cast iron slab with an inset cross. There are also ledger slabs in the centre of the chancel for the Henham family who were lay rectors of the Parish. They were a farming family and in fact a variety of hop is named after them. Surprisingly in this area of Kent where well – carved fonts were common in the 15th century both the piscina and octagonal font are extremely plain.
There is a ring of six bells, the oldest of which was cast in 1747 and these are still rung on occasions, most notably at the annual service held in the church to commemorate the feast day of their patron saint, St Michael which falls on 29th September. Despite being virtually redundant the church is warm and welcoming and obviously lovingly cared for.
Daphne Pilcher
Librarianship
Never let it be said that librarians don’t have a sense
of humour!
Activity Pages
Twenty Questions to Test You
1. How many books are there in the New Testament?
2. Which Biblical saint was a tent maker?
3. When is St Swithin’s Day?
4. Which three gifts were given to the baby Jesus?
5. What is the ecclesiastical colour for Lent?
6. Who climbed a tree to see Jesus?
7. Who made the famous golden calf?
8. Who was the architect of St Paul’s cathedral?
9. Of which tribe was Joshua a member?
10. How was Miriam punished for her actions against Moses?
11. What is the modern name of the island where Paul was shipwrecked?
12. Where was Thomas a Becket murdered?
13. Name the ten plagues which afflicted Egypt?
14. How many stones did David take when he approached Goliath?
15. Which birds fed Elijah?
16. Who was a seller of purple in the city of Thyatira?
17. Which two animals were forbidden to be yoked together for ploughing?
18. What is the date of Candlemas?
19. When does Ascension Day occur?
20. Where is St Martin’s-in-the-Fields?
At this time of year our thoughts turn to harvest time. Have a go at this word search – All about bread
B U N W H O L E M E A L
N A I C C A C O F T C E
B A G O Z T A M O K R K
H F A E A A R R C A I C
T G A N L T T I T N S I
I L U O L I T T E I P N
R L Y O L S A I A F B R
B O R L D B C D P F R E
A R A A A R O O Y U E P
R S E I K S U R N M A M
A R C E T S A O T E D U
B A G U E T T E S B A P
You will find the words written forward and backward, horizontally, vertically and diagonally. At the end
you will be left with nine unused letters. These will give you two of the cereals used in bread making, past
and present.
BAGEL BAGUETTE BAP BARABRITH BREADSTICK BUN
CIABATTA CRISPBREAD FOCACCIA LOAF MATZO MUFFIN
NAAN PITTA PUMPERNICKEL ROLL RUSK SCONE
SODA SOURDOUGH TOAST TORTILLAS WHOLEMEAL
Bread is eaten in various ways in many parts of the world and this is reflected in the names. For example
Pumpernickel is German and Bara Brith is Welsh.
Thinking of bread leads us on to Harvest and fruit and vegetables. Answer the questions and fill in the grid.
If you are correct reading downwards in column 5 you will get the name of vegetables often associated with
Christmas Dinner.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1. Type of Plum
2. Popular orchard fruit
3. Vegetable which sounds as if it might have
bone connections
4. A vegetable with a strong smell and flavour
5. A fruit which is also a shade of mauve
6. Really a fruit but eaten in a salad as a
vegetable
7. A little crunchy vegetable eaten in a salad
In the autumn we often say. Looking at nature, look at the colours. All colours have different shades and
each shade has a different name. Try this crossword with a difference where the last letter of an answer is the
first letter of the following one and discover the names of some of the shades – often relating to nature.
1. Word means water of the sea
2. Perhaps it has chicken connections
3. Pale violet colour
4. Barbecue fuel
5. When dried often put into bags to scent the
contents of drawers
6. Often used to describe the colour of trees in
Autumn
7. Type of earthenware often used to make
flower pots
8. Fruit closely relate to a peach
9. Type of orange
10. Name used to describe Ireland
11. Type of plum
12. Often a school uniform colour
13. Colour of the sun
14. Used in ancient times by warriors to
decorate their bodies
15. National flower of Wales
16. Word means sky or heaven
17. Form of printing toner used in very old
photographs
18. Middle traffic light
19. Signals danger
20. Material from which jeans are made
21. Goes with cress
22. Reversible figured fabric made in various
materials
23. Colour of army uniform
24. Colour in the rainbow
25. Cocktail fruit
26. Unbleached linen
27. Natural brown or reddish-brown earth
colour
28. A horse colour
1 2
8
14 15 9
21
25
7 13 20 28 22 3
26 16
19 24 27
12 23
18 17 4
6 11 10
5
Try your hand at this bible based crossword. All references are taken from the Good News version of the
Bible
1 2 3 4
5 6
7 8 9
10
11 12
13
14 15
Clues Across
1. Leviticus Ch 11 v 2 – Do not eat this animal
(singular)
3. 1 Chronicles Ch5 v 9 – They had large what
(singular) in the land of Gilead
5. Brother of Moses
7. Luke Ch 17 v 32 – Remember whose wife
10. Joshua Ch 7 v 2 – Into which city did men of
Jericho go
11. Exodus Ch8 v 2 – Creature (singular) sent as a
punishment
12. Genesis Ch 5 v 32 – Second son of Noah
13. Jeremiah Ch 41 v 9 – Which king had built a
large well
14. Luke Ch 15 v 22 – What was to be put on his
finger
15. 1 Samuel Ch 3 v 4 – What was Samuel to say
Clues Down
1. Our church patron saint
2. Daniel Ch 8 v 8 – What grew more arrogant
3. Deuteronomy Ch 32 v 50 – Mountain where
Aaron died
4. 1 Timothy Ch 6 v 12 – What action are you to
do your best at
6. 1 Corinthians Ch 9 v 9 – Don’t muzzle this
animal
8. First word of the Lord’s Prayer
9. Disciple – brother of John
10. Esther Ch 8 v 3 – From whom was Haman
descended
11. Psalm 104 v 17 – Which tree does the stork nest in
12. Proverbs Ch 27 v 25 – What is the crop
The Bible
Today we take it for granted that we can read a copy of the Bible whenever we wish, but we often forget that
people once suffered that we might have this privilege. In England at the beginning of the 16th century there
were no printed books of any sort at all. Books had to be written by hand with pen and ink and this was a
very expensive procedure and books were the property of the rich.
Then the printing press was invented and a young man called William Tyndale realized that if he could get
the Bible put into print he would be able to make thousands of copies quite cheaply. However he met with a
good deal of opposition from the bishops because they thought that the spread of education and the ability to
then read the Bible for themselves would mean that people would rely less on the authority of the Church.
Eventually Tyndale had to leave the country, but although he was still hunted abroad he managed at last to
print his Bible in 1525. He made friends with various merchants and copies of the newly printed Bible were
smuggled into England in bales of cloth and sacks of corn. But when this was discovered the bishops
collected these smuggled Bibles, burnt them and forbade the people to possess a copy. However Tyndale
found another publisher in Antwerp and the Bible began to be printed in such great numbers that nothing
could be done to stop it reaching the English people.
Tyndale continued his work for several years but finally he was betrayed by his enemies, tried, imprisoned
and eventually burnt at the stake – all because he wanted us to have the opportunity of reading God’s word
whenever we wish. Bearing this in mind, perhaps we ought to read it for ourselves more often.
ANSWERS
Twenty Questions to Test You
1. 27 2. Paul 3. 15th July 4. Gold, Myrrh, Frankincense
5. Purple 6. Zacchaeus 7. Aaron 8. Christopher Wren
9. Ephraim 10. Afflicted with leprosy 11. Malta (Melita) 12. Canterbury Cathedral
13. Turning the Rivers into Blood, Swarms of frogs, lice, flies, cattle disease, hail, locusts, awful darkness,
boils, death of first born.
14. 5 15. Ravens 16. Lydia 17. Ass and Ox
18. 2nd February 19. Forty days after Easter 20. Trafalgar Square, London
All About Bread Word Search – Barley, Rye
Fruit and Vegetable Grid
1. Damson 2. Apple 3. Marrow 4. Onion 5. Plum 6. Tomato 7. Radish
The 5th column is Sprouts
Crossword with a difference - Colours
1. Aquamarine 2. Eggshell 3. Lilac 4. Charcoal 5. Lavender 6. Russett
7. Terracotta 8. Apricot 9. Tangerine 10. Emerald 11. Damson 12. Navy
13. Yellow 14. Woad 15. Daffodil 16. Lapis 17. Sepia 18. Amber
19. Red 20. Denim 21. Mustard 22. Damask 23. Khaki 24. Indigo
25. Olive 26. Ecru 27. Umber 28. Roan
Bible Based Crossword
Clues Across
1. Pig 3. Herd 5. Aaron 7. Lot 10. Ai 11. Frog
12. Ham 13. Asa 14. Ring 15. Yes
Clues Down
1. Paul 2. Goat 3. Hor 4. Run 5. Ox 8. Our
9. James 10. Agar 11. Fir 12. Hay
General Information
Vicar Rev Ronnie Williams, 521357
The Vicarage, Bretland Road, Rusthall
Readers
Mr Tim Cripps, 10 Muskerry Court 543355
Miss Daphne Pilcher, 37 Stephens Road 521691
Churchwardens Mr Clive McAllister, 7 Rustwick 532817
Miss May Graves, 21 Hill View Road 680274
Deputy Churchwardens Mr Graeme Anderson, 51 Westwood Road 532922
Mrs Susan Powley 545067
Mrs Margaret Brown 680455
Parochial Church Council Secretary Mrs Mione Palmer 667951
Treasurer and Planned Giving Mrs Pat Cripps
c/o Parish Office 521447
Child Protection Officer
c/o May Graves 680274
DBS Officer
Clive Brown
c/o the Parish Office 521447
Bible Reading Fellowship Secretary Vivienne Sharp 543263
Choir Leader Miss Fiona Johnson 07540 273303
Magazine Editors Deborah Bruce, Sue Hare and Mione Palmer
c/o the Parish Office
email – [email protected]
Flower Arrangers Mrs Daphne Hodges 533492
Parish Hall Bookings Enquiries to Parish Office 521447
Rusthall St Paul’s Primary School Headteacher - Miss Caroline Powell 520582
Churchyards Enquiries to the Parish Office
CHURCH ELECTORAL ROLL
All worshippers who are baptised members of the Church of England,
and aged over 16, should have their names entered on the Electoral Roll.
This entitles them to attend and vote at the Annual Parochial Meeting.
Forms for enrolment will be found in the Parish Church or the Parish
Office and should be sent to the Vicar.
Organisations
Julian Group
Mrs Pat Stevens 529187
St Paul’s Parish Fellowship
Mrs Zillah Witt (Chair) 523028
Vacancy (Secretary)
Group Scout Secretary
Mr K Powley 545067
Scout Membership Secretary
Merissa Patrick
Email – [email protected]
Beavers: [email protected]
Cubs: [email protected]
Scouts: [email protected]
Guide Senior Section
Helen Deller 07720 252481
Guide Guiders
Charlotte Franklin 07837658751
Brownie Guiders
Mrs Wendy Anderson (Thurs) 532922
Ms Tina Francis (Mon) 545877
Rainbows
Mrs Mary Saunders 319872
Email – [email protected]
Mothers and Toddlers
Mrs Annie Softley, 21 Woodside Road 548366
Rusthall Local History Group
Dennis Penfold, 18 Meadow Road 537939
Rusthall Lunch Club
Mrs Ros Rodwell 01892 618538
Rusthall Community & Youth Project
Barry Edwards 680296
Rusthall Village Association
Alex Britcher 07967 011467
Rusthall Parish Council
Council Clerk 07805 475397
Rusthall Bonfire and Fete Committee
Annie Sofley 548366
Friends of TW and Rusthall Common
Clive Evans 534040
The Parish Office
Parish Administrator - Mrs Ginette di Palma
St Paul's Parish Office, Church Centre, Rusthall Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 8RE
Telephone (01892) 521447
Office email: [email protected]
Magazine email: [email protected]
Website: www.stpaulsrusthall.org.uk
The Office is manned on weekday mornings (except Tuesdays) between 10 am and noon.
Emails and telephone messages are being screened and responded to.
Please do not visit the office in person unless it is necessary to do so.
