The Bathford Bulletin December 2012

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The Bathford Bulletin

The Monthly Magazine For The Parish OfBathford

December 2012

www.thebathfordbulletin.org

We are always looking for interesting or unusual pictures of the vil lage; particularlyany that capture a distinct character of the vil lage or are from an unusual vantage

point. Please send your submissions to: [email protected]

REMEMBRANCE DAY 201 2 - Parade through Bathford

Photo By David Howells

Christmas at St Swithun’s Church Bathford 201 2At this special time of year you are warmly invited to any of the services at St

Swithun’s to celebrate the birth of Jesus. We very much look forward to welcoming

you to the church during the Christmas season.

Sunday 2nd 1 0:00am Advent Family service

5:30pm Advent Carols

Saturday 8th 7:30pm Advent Expectations Concert

Sunday 9th 4:00pm Christingle at Bathford School

Sunday 1 6th 6:30pm A traditional service of ‘Carols by Candlel ight' fol lowed

by mulled wine and mince pies

Christmas Eve 4:00pm Crib Service - come dressed to join in the nativity if

you would l ike to

1 1 :00pm Holy Communion

Christmas Day 9:00am Holy Communion

1 0:00am A Family Service of Celebration

Sunday 30th 1 0:00am Holy Communion (NB this wil l be the only service)

If you would like transport to any of the services please phone 01225 851390.

St. Swithun’s Church Bathford

Rev Jane Burgess - Telephone: 858325

email: [email protected]

Churchwardens: Alison Mil lar 851 095 Joy Craine 85861 3

Readers: Gerry Mil ler 858402 Michael Craine 85861 3

Gil l Gilbert 858927 Dennis Pearson 858293

Everyone Is Warmly Welcome!

We have the fol lowing groups for children during our Sunday Services:

Crèche (0-3); Children’s Church (3-1 0); Rock Solid Youth Group (1 1 +).

Our 1 4+ youth group, 'Rock on Saturday', meets three times each month. For detai ls

please ring Michael Craine.

Page 2 The Bathford Bulletin

Having pushed away those he lovedbecause of his pain, it is the church thatthe young man feels able to call upon to‘hold’ his pain and fear.

My own reflection on this latestbestsel ler of Patrick Gale is to celebratethat the church is sti l l here for al l . Thisincludes those who do not regularlyattend. The church is cal led to be wherepeople are ‘at’ , including the raw, painfuland sometimes messy edge; as indeed,served as the inspiration for this novel,even though it is set in a quiet, ruralvi l lage.

The novel points to the real meaning ofthis coming Season: a God who wasborn as a baby and joined us in themessiness of real l ife. The church,clergy and even family and friends wil l ,at times, fai l us but the message ofChristmas is that God does not and hascome to be among us. This is the goodnews that we celebrate.

I hope you wil l feel very welcome toattend any of our celebrations at StSwithun’s this Christmas.

Wishing you all , peace and joy thisChristmas season.

Jane

The Bathford Bulletin Page 3

From the Vicarage... . . .

Perhaps part of the pleasure of a novel isthat it helps us to see life through theeyes of another, even if it is a fictionalcharacter. I t causes us to reflect on l ife ora situation and can help us gain clarityon our own values, emotions and whatreal ly matters. The popularity of bookclubs demonstrates how much we enjoyreflecting on what we read with others. Icertainly value belonging to such agroup.

My latest read has certainly caused meto think. The book 'A Perfectly GoodMan' by Patrick Gale is set in Cornwalland revolves around the centralcharacter of Barnaby the vil lage vicar -you can see why it had me hooked!Without giving too much away, the dramaunfolds with the vicar being called to visita young man who had been confined toa wheelchair fol lowing a rugby accident.While Barnaby sits with him, the youngman, unbeknown to Barnaby, drinks afatal dose of drugs and only tel ls thevicar when it is too late for him to doanything other than pray and simply bepresent with him as he dies.

As the novel unfurls we learn that whilethe young man had been confirmed bythe vicar, he has attended the classesonly to be with his new girlfriend. Thevicar, who is portrayed as inadequateand fal len, has been aware of this and atone point says to him, "you might stopcoming to church for a bit. . .But whatmatters is that you’l l know the church wil lremain there for you whenever you needit”. The words are painful ly poignant asthe reader realises that the young manhas indeed taken the vicar up on his offerin a way the vicar could never haveimagined.

Children's Christmas Concert

St Swithun's Church have been invitedto host a special performance by thechildren of Bathford School of songsfrom their Christmas Concert, fol lowedby a festive tea, on THURSDAY 1 3DECEMBER at 2:00pm in the SchoolHall . This is a wonderful opportunity tocome and support the school and seehow talented our children are.

Transport is available if required.Contact Robert Wolsey on 01 225851 390.



Bathford Link ReceivesChairman’s Community &Business Award

Bathford Link was nominated for theVolunteer Team of the Year award at theChairman of Bath & North EastSomerset Council ’s Community andBusiness Awards 201 2/201 3. Thepresentations were made at theBanqueting Hall of the Guildhal l on theevening of Tuesday 6 November. Theevent was attended by representativesof the many local charities nominatedfor awards.

from the Chairman, Council lor RobAppleyard on our behalf.

We would l ike to thank all our co-ordinators, drivers and other committeemembers for their dedication insupporting the Bathford communitythrough their work for Link.

Peter Staples, Secretary, Bathford Link

Tony Woodcock,Chairman ofBathford Linkreceived acertificate ofcommendation

Start your Christmas shoppinghere... .

CHRISTMAS FAIRSaturday 1 December 1 0:00am ti l

1 2:00 noon

Parish Hall, Church Street, BathfordTables £5 - ring Monica on 859663

No bric-a-brac or raffles

Hall open from 8:00am for stal l holders

VINTAGE CHRISTMAS FAIRSunday 2 December 1 0:00am - 4:00pm

Masonic Hall, Church Street,BradfordonAvon

Entrance free.

China, Linen, Crafts, Collectables,Cakes, Bric-a-Brac, Christmas gifts and

cards

Homemade lunches and teas.

Part proceeds to charity: MultipleSclerosis, Dorothy House and Raleigh

International

PARISH COUNCIL NEWS

01 225 [email protected]

PACT / Neighbourhood WatchMeeting

A very successful meeting supported byBeat Manager Nick Sheppard was heldat the Community Rooms on November6 201 2. Discussion took place onneighbourhood speedwatch and the re-introduction of volunteer speedwatchers.A Bathford Neighbourhood Watch 'feelsafe – be safe' flyer wil l hopeful ly soondrop through your letterbox encouragingmembers of the parish to become acontact person and play a vital roleworking in close l iaison with theNeighbourhood Police Teams. Thiscrime prevention initiative encouragesneighbourl iness and strengthens thecommunity, helps and reassures thosewho feel vulnerable and helps to tackleproblems such as burglary, vandalism,anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime.Get involved today and contact ourNeighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator,Maureen Mil lbank, on 01 225 859250 oremail : [email protected].

Snow Wardens - VolunteersWanted

Cllrs David Le Lohe and Peter Martin'steam of volunteers are beginning toprepare for the onset of winter weather.Fol lowing last year’s success, David islooking for more wil l ing and ablevolunteers to join his team for areas ofthe vil lage not covered: Church Street;Dovers Lane; Dovers Park; MeadowPark; Morris Close; Morris Lane;Mountain Wood; Ostl ings Lane; PumpLane; Prospect Place; Warleigh Lane.

Training and equipment wil l be provided– it is a great opportunity to dosomething really useful for thecommunity, get some exercise and meetnew friends.

I f you are interested please contactDavid on 01 225 8591 38 or Cllr PeterMartin on 01 225 859856.

Verge Cutting

We are delighted to report that BANEShave agreed that with effect from 201 3the twice yearly verge cutting wil l bereinstated. Ward Council lors andBANES themselves have beeninundated with comments andcomplaints from parishioners concernedat the safety aspects involved with the201 2 reduction from two cuts to one cutper season. The Council have nowundertaken to ensure normal service isresumed in 201 3. Our thanks are due toour Ward Council lors, Gabriel Batt andGeoff Ward for their help and support inensuring this U turn by BANES.

Congratulations to Link

Our congratulations go to TonyWoodcock and his team for beingCommended by BANES for aCommunity Award – this was very welldeserved and a great credit to al l thosewho work so tirelessly for such a good,worthwhile and appreciated cause.

Christmas Greetings

We wish all our parishioners a veryhappy and enjoyable Christmas and apeaceful and healthy New Year.

Date of Next Meeting

Monday 21 January 201 3 at 7:30 pm inthe Parish Office, Bathford Hil l , Bathford.




Join BATHFORD GUIDES – and HaveFun!

Bathford Guides had a busy October.The girls baked cakes for a cakecompetition as part of a Macmil lanCoffee Evening. A grand total of £1 03.03was raised for this good cause. Nancywon the competition with some veryspooky cup cakes.

An evening of swimming was held whenthe Bathford Players were using the hall ,with al l the girls enjoying the sl ides atthe Sports Centre.

During the holiday a small group of girlsparticipated in Heritage Week. Sky-scape scrap books were made at theVictoria Art Gallery, fol lowed by burgersfor lunch. After lunch they caught thebus to Prior Park Gardens andcompleted the Halloween and BonfireTrail .

In November they are going to planttrees at the American Museum and inJanuary a trip to the Pantomime isplanned.

Any girls (aged 1 0 – 1 4) or adultsinterested in finding out more aboutGuides in Bathford please contact JennyPrall on 01 225 858269.

Christmas Coffee Plus Café

Monday 1 0th December anytime

from 1 1 :45 am unti l 2:00pm

Bathford Community ShopCafé

We are serving coffee, tea, hotchocolate, cake, paninis and soup.

Also sandwiches, smoothies and cakefor children.

A relaxed space to come and enjoydelicious food and good company. Toys

and activities available for children toenjoy and help make them feel at

home.

Come and enjoy the buzz, al l welcome.

Welcome Packs

We would l ike to welcome allnewcomers to our lovely vi l lage with awelcome pack consisting of informationabout the vil lage, the various societiesetc. So if you have a new neighbour orhave just moved in, please contact meso that I may arrange for a pack to bedelivered. Pam Priston Tel. 743499

Kelly Ann Designs

Bespoke Picture Framing

Dick Willows Cider Farm

Bathford

Bath

A unique creative approachfor all your picture framing

needs

Tel: 07971 341 090

Open Thursday to Saturday

1 0:00am. - 5:00pm

and

Sunday 11 :00am – 4:00pm


Quiz Nights

There wil l be no Quiz Night at theParish Hall in December. However,we resume in the New Year!

The next two Quiz Nights wil l beFriday Jan 25 (a fundraiser for theyouth club at the church) and FridayFeb 22 to support the MultipleSclerosis Society. Further detai ls inthe January Bulletin.

Merry Christmas and Happy NewYear to al l who have supported theQuiz Nights this year.

Stan Cherry

Bathford Society

As usual, there wil l be no talk inDecember, so the next one is on 28January 201 3 - 'The Role of theMagistrate' given by Nick Stevens.

We wish everyone a Happy Christmas.David Howells

Page 1 0 The Bathford Bulletin

Saturday JUDO, 9-1 0 am

(Following National Curriculum Guidelines)

FREE ‘TASTERS’ ages 5-1 3.

The Parish Hall, Church Street, Bathford

Check our website gleesonjudo.com

for dates and information.

Or call Finn on 0781 0790039

Look forward to seeing you there!

The Bathford Bulletin Page 1 1

Diary of Events - December 201 2

PLEASE NOTE

The deadline for receiving copy for the January 201 3 Bulletin is

1 0 December 201 2

Please email them to: [email protected]

or put them into the Bulletin Box in the Bathford Village Shop

Documents

The Bathford Bulletin December 2012