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Bembridge Parish News
SERVING : • THE PARISH CHURCH • THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
THE METHODIST CHURCH
April 2015
Sherbourne Street – 1890’s
METHODIST MINISTER:
Revd. Frances Watson
12 Gordon Cl. Sandown
Tel: 404804
VICAR:
Vacancy
ASSOCIATE PRIEST:
Rev’d Linda Bushell
Tel: 400261
[email protected]
CATHOLIC PRIEST:
Fr. Anthony Glaysher
Tel: 812127
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Please inform the clergy of sick persons and other needs for visiting and prayers
Editor: Anna Driver 1 The Ruskins, Kings Road, PO35 5NY
Tel: 873283 – [email protected]
(Copy deadline - 8th of the preceding month)
Distribution Secretary: Mrs Jenny Austen 31 Beachfield Road
Tel: 872701, [email protected]
Advertising Manager: Mrs Olive Light 1 Trelawny Way, PO35 5YE
Tel 874218 – [email protected]
Hard copies of the Parish News are available locally, please buy a copy
and support our advertisers to make continuance of this magazine possible
1
Bembridge Parish News
No. 593
New Chapters
Do you like reading?
The congregation of St Michael's
church is also beginning a new
chapter. Congratulations on fifty
good years of ministry. What
opportunities for ministry will the
next fifty years hold? We look forward
to many further years of ecumenical
fellowship with them and with our
friends at the Methodist church.
I always like to read a chapter of a
good novel in the evening just to
change my thought processes from
work to rest. Sometimes though,
when I've just read a superb chapter,
it's hard to stop. The temptation is
to stay up later, than is good for me,
just to see what the next chapter
will bring. What turns and twists
and developments of the story
will happen in this new chapter?
It's something to anticipate and
to look forward to. What joys and
sorrows will the story hold and how
will the characters cope with them?
Sometimes I am even tempted to
peep at the last chapter just to see
how things turn out in the end.
The village itself is changing with
the building of forty new retirement
flats, new houses and perhaps
the development of the harbour.
Each change calls for some sort of
response and adaption as the new
chapter begins.
It is with all this, in mind, that I
am thankful to the writer of my
favourite hymn. 'God is working his
purpose out.' It reminds us that each
new chapter of life is overseen by a
God who loves us and watches over
us; and who will in the end make all
things well. I don't need to peep at
the last chapter in this case, as this,
and every season of Easter, reminds
me of the promise of forgiveness,
renewal, rebirth and eternal life. And
so we can continue to look forward
to the future with both anticipation
and excitement.
I guess that's a bit like life in
Bembridge at the moment. At this
time we, at Holy Trinity, are looking
forward to an exciting new chapter
of Parish life. Having written a really
good chapter alongside Andrew, we
should now be looking to the future
with eager anticipation. I wonder
what exciting twists and turns are in
store for us. The vacancy has been
a time when we have continued
to grow both spiritually and in
fellowship as we have all pulled
together to keep the variety and
richness of Parish life thriving.
Linda
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HOLY WEEK and EASTER at HOLY TRINITY
GOOD FRIDAY
3rd April 12.00 noon - 2.00 pm
The Church will be open for
private prayer and meditation
2.00pm The Liturgy of Good Friday
A Service of readings, hymns and
prayers where we accompany
Jesus on his journey to the Cross
MAUNDY THURSDAY
2nd April 7.30 pm
Holy Communion in the Cloisters
We shall try to recreate something
of the atmosphere of the upper
room where Jesus met with his
disciples for the last supper by
meeting in The Cloisters.
We shall have a quiet reflective
service of Holy Communion with
space to think and pray.
We shall eat and drink with Jesus,
as his disciples did; to prepare
ourselves to contemplate all that
happened on Good Friday
EASTER DAY 5th April
8.00 am Holy Communion
Using the Book of Common
Prayer in Holy Trinity Church
9.00 am Family Communion
A short, less formal Communion
Service suitable for all ages
10.30am Parish Communion
HOLY TRINITY CHURCH ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
Tuesday 21st April 2015 at 4.15pm
in The Cloisters Tea will be served from 3.30pm
The first part of this meeting is to elect Churchwardens and is open to
anyone on the Church Electoral Roll. Nominations for Churchwarden
must be given to the P.C.C. Secretary at least 24 hours before the
meeting and cannot be accepted during the meeting. The remainder of
the meeting is open to those on the Civil Electoral Roll of Holy Trinity.
The meeting will review our last year’s activities, receive the accounts
and elect members to the Parochial Church Council and Deanery Synod.
If you wish to stand for the P.C.C. please obtain a nomination form from
Mrs Sheila Low and return it to her before the meeting if possible.
There will be an opportunity at the end of the meeting for parishioners
to raise any issues for discussion.
Sally Davies / Sheila Low
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BEMBRIDGE WINDMILL WI
At the February meeting Mark Earp entertained the members of Bembridge
Windmill WI with tales of Eccentric Women of the Wight. All the stories were
factual but may have received some embellishment over the years.
The first story concerned Lucy Lightfoot left Gatcombe to follow her amour
to the Holy Lands. She reached Cyprus, missed her returning amour and
did not come back. Nevertheless some have reported feeling her spirit
in the church at Gatcombe. There was an Isle of Wight woman swindler
and a highwayman. Some women followed men into battle and a family
of sisters smuggled rum in their bustles. The names of Lily Langtry and
Rosa Lewis, owner of the Carlton Hotel in London, were both linked with
royalty. Elizabeth Blount, poet and song writer, was a founder of the Flat
Earth Society and Dorothy O’Grady, the Spy by the Sea in the 1940s, were
included in the tales of eccentric women.
This is just a taste of a really fascinating evening, filled with numerous
stories that highlighted the many and various ‘eccentric’ and influential
women that had at sometime in their lives been resident on or associated
with the Isle of Wight.
Also in February a small group were
taken on a tour of the Apollo Theatre
in Newport. Michael regaled the
group with humorous stories of the
history of the theatre as he led the
way through the rabbit-warren-like
building. The tour culminated with
continued page 7
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continued from page 5
a demonstration of the actors work based on a script of some 16 lines for
two players. By keeping the words the same, but changing the stance and
demeanour Michael showed how the meaning of a simple story could be
turned around by an actor. “Excellent morning” was the general consensus!
The April meeting will be held
at 7.30pm on Monday 20 April at The Cloisters
The speaker will be Angela Hewitt of Naturezones, Isle of Wight.
Visitors are always welcome, contact Sarah Atkins 873873
for more information, or just come along.
Sherbourne Street 1890’s
The
picture
of
Sherbourne
Street
dates from the 1890s
and shows a coal man
delivering bags of coal
to the family in the
cottage with the ivy on
the front of the house. At
this time the village had
three coal merchants,
Prestons, Jordans and
Orchards. Coal stocks
were kept at the railway
station having been brought in by
sea from Newcastle by the ship
“Allerwash” and unloaded by men
with shovels.
Sherbourne Street 1890’s
century, from a private house to the
Chinese business that is there now.
In the past it has been an Antique
shop run by a Jesse Fulljames and
restaurants, The Square Rigger, Net,
Fultons, China China and now Lu
Shan – have I missed any?
The old cottage is long gone, it was
derelict when I was a boy in the
1940s. It is now the estate agency
of Hose, Rhodes and Dickson.
The house was originally called
Palmerston Lodge and the home of
a family with the name of ATTRILL...
The house next door to the left has
seen many changes over the last
John Woodford – March 2015
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Don’t Miss – More Dates for April 2015
The Elms Nursing Home
Swains Road
Bembridge
THE ISLAND SAVOYARDS
Are holding an
Easter Coffee Morning
THE REALLY USEFUL GROUP
on Friday 3rd April
from 10am to 12 noon
SHANKLIN THEATRE
APRIL 2-5 AT 7.30PM
There will be a raffle,
tombola and quiz
MATINEE APRIL 6 AT 2.30PM
PRESENT
AN AMATEUR PRODUCTION
BY ARRANGEMENT WITH
EVITA
TICKETS £15 UNDER 16’s £10
All will be made
very welcome
BOX OFFICE
01983868000
Bembridge Little Theatre
Massed bands of
HM Royal Marines
Our forthcoming production
‘Over my Dead Body’
a comedy written
by Derek Benfield
Friday 17th April
Royal Albert Hall
Return travel to Isle of Wight
Leave 9.30am
is being performed in Bembridge
Village Hall on
th
the 16 , 17th, and 18th of April,
Cost £72.50
tickets priced at £7 each
doors will open at 7pm
For more details contact
Tina Parsonage
Tickets in advance will be sold at
the Welcome Store at Lane End
and at Splash in Union Street Ryde
01983 616257 or on the door.
[email protected]
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April at Carisbrooke Priory
Open Door Speakers:
April 2nd
April 9th
April 16th
April 23rd
April 30th
Canon Alan Brown. (Communion)
Anne Linington
Margaret Smithson
Robert Wynford-Harris
Frances Watson
Open Door Service every Thursday at 12noon followed by
Lunch in the Dining room approx 1.00pm
Priory Art Group meets Mondays 9.30am-4.00.pm
All enquiries to Carisbrooke Priory Trust Phone: 01983 523354
Prayer Ministry available by arrangement
Please ring 01983 523354 for appointment
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.carisbrookepriory.org.uk
BEMBRIDGE VILLAGE BAND
We are holding our Annual Charity Concert
on Sunday May 31st at 3pm in the Village Hall
All Proceeds will go to HELP for HEROES
Our theme this year is the 70th Anniversary of the end of WW2
so it will be a Celebration! Music will include: 633 Squadron
Memory
American Patrol
Raiders of the lost Ark
High on a Hill, and
the CanCan!
We will be supported as usual by The Bembridge Recorder Consort,
The Jazztones, and The Bembridge Handbell Ringers.
There will be chances to sing and dance if you wish!
Admission is £5 on the Door
There will be a Raffle and free refreshments
We hope you will come and join us! Angela Holland
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St. MICHAEL’S
CATHOLIC CHURCH
WALLS ROAD, BEMBRIDGE
Joint Parish of St Mary’s Ryde with
St Michael’s, Bembridge
Parish Priest for both churches:
Father Anthony Glaysher
Tel: (01983) 812127
E-mail: [email protected]
Parish Office E-mail: [email protected]
Parish web site: www.stmarysryde.org
WEEKEND SERVICES ALL YEAR
Saturdays:
6.00 pm
Vigil Mass at Ryde
Sundays: 7.45 am
(said) Mass at Ryde
9.15 am
(sung) Mass at Bembridge
9.15 am
Mass at St Mary’s
Ordinariate mass
– Father Jonathan
10.00 am
Mass at both
at both Quarr Abbey
and St. Cecilia’s Convent
(sung) Mass at Ryde
11.00 am
Mondays: 2.00 pm
Rosary
St Michaels, Bembridge
Tuesdays: 9.30 am
Rosary & Exposition
of the Blessed Sacrament
10.00 am
(said) Mass at
Bembridge 13
Report from St Michaels
On 6th March the ecumenical Women’s World Day of Prayer was once again
an enjoyable service organised by St Michael’s.
The service came from the women of the Bahamas and a bright bowl of
fruit and flowers reminded us of their sunny Caribbean culture. The same
service continues to be held all around the world during this day.
The Lent Study group continued during Lent at the home of
Carolyn Holbrook in Swain’s Lane Monday 4pm
Stations of the Cross took place at St Michael’s every Friday at 10am
during Lent.
Maundy Thursday 2nd April 8pm at St Mary’s
Mass of the Lord’s Supper and Washing of Feet
Good Friday 3rd April
Stations of the Cross 10am St Michael’s
7pm Tenebrae Service at St Michael’s
Service of Solemn Passion St Mary’s 3pm
Quarr Abbey and St Cecilia’s Abbey both have a service at 3pm
Easter Sunday
Mass at normal time 9.15 at St Michael’s
Visit to Lisle Combe(St Lawrence) April 23rd 2.30pm
Home of the poet and Catholic convert,
Alfred Noyes 1880 – 1958
The house and grounds of this large Victorian property are
available to enjoy during the visit.
A talk on the poet’s life will be given in the drawing room
and his famous poem “The Highwayman”
will be dramatised by pupils from Priory School.
Organised by the Catholic History Society.
Tea will be served, cost £5.
Booking essential as numbers will be limited.
Yvonne Rowles
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HOLY TRINITY CALENDAR
Associate Priest: The Reverend Linda Bushell (400261)
E-Mail: [email protected]
website: www.bembridgeholytrinity.org.uk
Churchwardens: Mrs Sheila Low (874306)
Mrs Sally Davies (872864)
During the vacancy please contact any of the above for church matters
SUNDAY SERVICES
8.00amHoly Communion at St Luke’s (Book of Common Prayer)
10.30am Parish Communion with STEPPING STONES
for children at Holy Trinity (Common Worship)
1st SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH (except January & Easter Day)
10.30amThank God it’s Sunday! Worship for all ages
APRIL 2015
Wednesday
1st
9.30am
Matins at St Luke’s
10.00am
MU Corporate Communion at St Luke’s
THURSDAY
2nd MAUNDY THURSDAY
7.30pm
Holy communion in the Cloisters
FRIDAY
3rd GOOD FRIDAY
12 noon – 2.00pm Holy Trinity open for private prayer
and meditation
2.00pm
The Liturgy of Good Friday at Holy Trinity
SUNDAY
5th EASTER DAY
8.00am
Holy Communion at Holy Trinity (BCP)
9.00am
Family Communion at Holy Trinity
10.30am
Parish Communion at Holy Trinity
Wednesday
8th 9.30am
Matins at St Luke’s
10.00am
Holy Communion at St Luke’s
SUNDAY
12th THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
8.00am
Holy Communion at St Luke’s (BCP)
10.30am
Parish Communion with Stepping
Stones at Holy Trinity
Monday
13th 9.00am
Monday Meditation at Holy Trinity
tuesday
14th 7.00pm
Taizé Worship & Prayer
at the Methodist Church
Wednesday
15th 9.30am
Matins at St Luke’s
10.00am
Holy Communion at St Luke’s
SUNDAY
19th THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER
8.00am
Holy Communion at St Luke’s (BCP)
10.30am
Parish Communion with Stepping Stones
at Holy Trinity
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Monday
20th 9.00am
Monday Meditation at Holy Trinity
Tuesday 21st 4.15pm
HOLY TRINITY CHURCH
– ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
in the Cloisters,
Tea will be served from 3.30pm.
Wednesday
22nd 9.30am
Matins at St Luke’s
10.00am
Holy Communion at St Luke’s
SUNDAY
26th THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
8.00am
Holy Communion at St Luke’s (BCP)
10.30am
Parish Communion with Stepping Stones
Monday
27th 9.00am
Monday Meditation at Holy Trinity
Wednesday
29th 9.30am
Matins at St Luke’s
10.00am
Holy Communion at St Luke’s
FUTURE DATE for the diaries: Sunday 24th May
Rev Tim Daykin, BBC Radio Solent (Sunday mornings 6 – 9 am will be our special
guest presenter at Village Songs of Praise on Sunday 24th May – Holy Trinity Church,
Bembridge at 6 pm
FUNERALS
9th February Lilian Jackson
13th February Mary Watton
16th February Brian Harris
17th February Keith Wilding
17th February Cavendish Morton
26th Michael (Sam) Lacey
Parish Magazine Monthly Distribution
We need a volunteer to deliver the magazine in and around Lane End (Life
Boat end). If you can help please contact Jenny Austen, Tel. 01983 872701 or
email: [email protected], as soon as possible.
A Meditation
Sit comfortably in a firm chair.
Put your feet on the ground, hands relaxed on your legs.
Spend a few moments mentally taking a tour around your body
and relaxing any knots of tension you find.
Feel your breath as it goes in and out.
When you get distracted in the meditation this is where you return.
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Rev. Frances Watson
Ph. 01983 404804
Email: [email protected]
APRIL 2015 CALENDAR
MIDWEEK EVENTS AND SUNDAY WORSHIP
Sunday 5th
10.30am
Morning Worship
John Wells, Local Preacher
Sacrament of Holy Communion
Friday 10th
7.30pm – 9.00pm Prayer Concert,
An Evening of Concerted Prayer **
Sunday 12th
10.30am
Morning Worship
John Yates, Visiting Preacher
Sunday 19th
10.30am
Morning Worship
Rev. Frances Watson
Sunday 26th
10.30am
Morning Worship
Mrs June Parsons, Local Preacher
** An Evening of Concerted Prayer
The evening will consist of times of open prayer, led prayers, silence, singing
(unaccompanied) watching, waiting and listening to the word of God.
Each section will last approx 6 or 7 minutes and we shall use creative ways to
pray e.g. writing our requests, using a map of the world.
For info email Andrew Hough at [email protected]
ACTIVITIES AND GROUPS IN THE CHURCH
Every Monday in
month
2.00pm
Monday Prayer Hour
Every Wednesday
in month
10.00am
Café Church
discussing the previous Sunday’s sermon and a look at the chosen
Bible readings in more detail. An informal time learning from our joint
experiences and different opinions. All Welcome
2.45pm
Wednesday Welcome
A pleasant time of friendly fellowship with a varied programme to which
all are welcome.
The community bus is available for transport.
Further details from : Val Pollard 718740
Every Thursday
in term time 10.00 am to
12 Noon
Tots (During term time)
Our church is situated in Foreland Road
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ROCK SOLID RETURNS
WHO IS IT FOR: SCHOOL YEARS 5 & 6
WHERE: Bembridge Methodist Church
WHAT DO WE DO: GAMES ACTIVITIES
AND FUN !
WHEN: Every Wednesday in term time
6.30–7.45pm
HOW MUCH: 50p per person per evening
WHY NOT FIND OUT MORE: [email protected]
Supported by the Parish and Methodist Churches
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St Helens Medical Centre
A recent addition to the Surgery staff is our Falls Coordinator. Falls are very
common; about 30% of over-65s and 50% of those over 80 suffer from a fall
every year across the UK. These occur for a whole range of reasons, and it
is important to identify these and to see what can be done to help prevent
them from occurring. In this way older people can remain as independent
as possible and avoid spells in hospital. Our Coordinator is able to offer
support for these people, relatives and carers, both at the surgery or
on home visits and, where necessary determine the most suitable and
appropriate treatment for the patient. This addition to the Practice will be a
great source of support for people in the community.
If you would like to learn more, please call the on the Practice,
telephone number 01983 871828
Patients are not always aware of the range of services or clinics that St Helens
Medical Practice can provide. If you would like more information, visit the
website www.sthelensmedicalcentre.com or call or visit the Surgery.
Finally, we are delighted to welcome Dr Mandy Briggs who joined the
partnership on 2nd March. She will be looking after Dr Groves’ patients and
is available on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Bembridge Library News
Bembridge Community Library held a very successful Bookfair on Saturday
21 February, raising more than £100 towards essential funds.
Organised by volunteers including Glynis Cunliffe, Chris Brennan, Chris and
Nick Thornton, and Marion and David Perchard, the sale offered nearly new
and good-condition books generously donated by library users and well
wishers. Lead volunteer Chris Brennan said that the library has an extensive
range of books for sale and users are always welcome to browse and buy.
"Proceeds from book sales are a
valuable source of income," said
Chris. "We're now looking forward
to organising our next event, our
Easter Coffee Morning, to be held on
Saturday 4 April at the library where
apart from teas and coffees we will
be offering live music, a cake stall, a
bring and buy sale and a Tombola."
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Bembridge RNLI Lifeboat News
February Lifeboat action:
The only call to action occurred on
the morning of the 9th February,
when the inshore lifeboat was
requested to assist in the search
for a man missing on Culver Cliff.
After the man was found on the
edge of the cliff, the lifeboat was
requested to stand by, monitoring
the situation for an hour and a half
Crowds watch a demonstration
whilst the situation was dealt with.
launch of the all-weather lifeboat
The lifeboat returned to station
‘Alfred Albert Williams’ in 2014
but was placed on a five-minute
standby, should it be required. Thankfully, the situation was resolved and
the man taken to safety and transferred to St Mary’s hospital.
Bembridge RNLI Lifeboat Guild Annual General Meeting:
Despite a smaller than usual number attending the AGM, there was an
upbeat message as Guild members were informed that it had been a
successful year for the Guild and the Bembridge lifeboat. Membership of
the Guild continues to grow and during the past year a number of Guild
members had been recognised and awarded by the RNLI for their service in
supporting the lifeboats.
The RNLI souvenir shop also had a successful year in terms of sales, being
placed 22nd out of a table of 584 shops and branches nationally.
The station is now well-established and growing as a tourist attraction
with a total of around 50,000 visitors to the boathouse over the past
year. In addition to that were 1,123 children and 203 adults in organised
educational visit groups.
The station enjoyed good reviews on TripAdvisor, the on-line review site,
with 132 reviews, out of which 101 were described as ‘excellent’.
Warners Bembridge Coast Hotel continues to support the lifeboat with the
weekly raffles and tour groups to the station with approximately £10,000
having been raised over the last year.
Sybil Snelling, after many years, retired as President of the Guild and took
the post of Vice-President. John Margetson was unanimously elected as
President.
continued page 25
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continued from page 24
The evening was concluded by the lifeboat coxswain, Steve Simmonds,
giving an informative and entertaining account of the lifeboat action over
the past year.
Opening times for April:
The offshore boathouse and RNLI souvenir shop
will be open from 11am to 4pm
from 1st to the 12th April (through the Easter holiday period)
and from 2pm to 4pm for the remainder of the month.
Ken Orchard
Bembridge RNLI Lifeboat Guild Press Officer
01983 873139
EVENTFUL YEAR FOR BEMBRIDGE BOWLING CLUB
2015 sees Mr Alan Bugby and Mrs Ann Sothcott, both of Bembridge Bowling
Club, host many County Bowls matches in their capacity of Men’s Isle of
Wight Bowls President and Ladies Isle of Wight Bowls President respectively.
Members of the public are cordially invited to attend these events, including
gents and ladies league games and any county competitions played at the
club. Officers/members of the club will be in attendance to answer any
questions.
A full list of the forthcoming events can be found on their website: www.
bembridgebowlingclub.co.uk
The club will be holding an open day at the Mitten Road Green where
experienced or anyone interested in playing bowls can attend to see what
the club has to offer. Equipment will be available for anyone wishing to
have a try on this day.
OPEN DAY – SUNDAY 3RD MAY – 2PM
MITTEN ROAD, BEMBRIDGE
Telephone Contacts:
Clubhouse: 872734
Club President Chris Emms: 875800
Club Secretary Clive Wade: 874855
House Manager Annette Halls: 872105
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Bembridge Townswomen’s Guild
On Tuesday March 3rd we arrived for our monthly meeting to find chairs
and tables all laid out ready for action. This was going to be an AGM with a
difference. There was a room full of interesting craft material and a lady eager
to start us off being creative.
The initial business of the evening went smoothly, minutes read and signed,
financial report, correspondence and supper club. Ann brought us up to date
with the Federation news, then we were ready to start.
Joy Cleightonhills explained about her 1,000+ project and we all set to work
creating the most amazing art work using wooden triangles and a wide
variety of colours, textures and shiny bits and pieces. There was a lot of fun
and laughter and I think everyone enjoyed themselves.
Once we had cleaned up our sticky fingers and had a welcome cup of coffee
we returned to the business of the AGM.
Phil our chairman gave a report on the previous year’s activities and Diane
gave us a very clear yearly financial report.
The competition winner for the whole year was Verena Sparrow and the best
bloom winner was Gill Chubb.
Then 10 year badges were presented to Val Pollard, Annette Halls and Dot
Harrison.
At the end of the evening, it was agreed a great way to organise the AGM.
Phil concluded the evening with a reminder that next month we would be
learning about the eccentric women of the Isle of Wight.
The Guild meets on the first Tuesday of every month in the Methodist Church
Hall at 7-30pm. Any lady wishing to join us would be made most welcome.
Dot Harrison – Press Secretary tel: 872992
Ivy Sykes
The family of Ivy Sykes would like to thank all those who attended her
funeral on 27th February 2015, and who sent kind messages of sympathy.
Ivy lived in Bembridge for 27 years and loved being part of village life. She
will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Debbie Mabbutt & Colin Woolley.
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Meetings: www.bembridgeblooms.org.uk
Friday January 2nd at 7:15pm – A talk on Orchids Friday January 30th at 7:15pm – A demonstration by Rob Mew You will remember that our Chairman, Henry Harris, died in August. Very sadly, his wife Doreen, our Show Secretary, died in November. Doreen and Henry worked very hard as a team for many years to ensure the smooth running of the Horticultural Society, and rarely missed a Friday meeting. As Show Secretary, Doreen was responsible for organising the two shows in June and August. This involved a lot of hard work behind the scenes, but they were always the highlight of the Society’s year. Doreen herself was a keen exhibitor, winning many cups and certificates for flowers, veg, floral arrangements and cookery. In 2009, our Centenary year, she was reported in the County Press as being “pleased as punch” at winning trophies for her roses. So we have happy memories of both Doreen and Henry, but at the start of a new year with new members on the committee, it would be good to see some new faces at our meetings too, so please come along and support the Society. It has been running since 1909 and at the moment we meet fortnightly at 7.15 on a Friday evening for just over an hour. We have a speaker, “Best Bloom” competition, raffle and tea & biscuits. It’s all very reasonably priced and we offer a warm welcome. ThingstodoinJanuary
1) Plant new trees. The dormant season – from November to March – is the traditional time to plant trees, and in fact the only time to plant bare‐root trees. Most fruit trees and many roses are produced this way – and they’re much cheaper than those sold in a container. 2) Prune apple and pear trees. Again, the dormant season is the right time for this. Remove dead, diseased or damaged branches, keep the tree centre open and, as a general rule of thumb, cut back the previous year’s growth by about a third. 3) Protect citrus plants. As they’re not frost‐hardy, they need to be brought under cover, but don’t keep them indoors as they dislike changes of temperature and humidity. Keep them in a cool, well‐ventilated greenhouse or porch. Water well but only occasionally when the soil starts to dry out.
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