Bembridge Parish News
SERVING : • THE PARISH CHURCH • THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
THE METHODIST CHURCH
May 2015
The Harbour before the Houseboats ...
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. 594
Easing the burden...
This afternoon I spent a couple
of hours weeding my vegetable
plot ready for digging it, and
eventually planting it out.
Now I know that some of you
will be saying “the end of April
is a little late to be digging the
garden” my reply is “I know,
but unfortunately that’s just
how it is this year”.
up or picked from the garden, and
thinking of the delight in being able
to give produce away, is what keeps
me going through the weeding
and digging at this time of year.
And I’m so very grateful for the
helping hands which come along
unexpectedly to ease the load.
There are times in life when it feels
a bit of a slog, when life seems
never-ending. Tiring as those times
are, emotionally and physically, the
‘looking back’, and ‘looking forward’
are what can make them valuable.
The hope is that looking back you
will know the Godly blessing of
those who have been alongside
you, and that looking forward,
through your own experience, you
must hope that God will place you
alongside someone else to ease
their burdens.
Rev. Frances Watson
I love planting the seeds, waiting
for them to push through the soil,
treating them carefully, watering
them lightly, protecting them from
bugs and extreme temperatures.
To then watch the plants mature is
amazing, each year I will think, how
is it that from a tiny seed such an
abundance is produced. Of course
remembering the enjoyment of
meals made from food recently dug
2
The Harbour before the Houseboats Arrived
This photograph was taken
about 1904 by the village’s
resident
photographer,
Mr Wilson. The picture
shows the harbour before
any houseboats were put in
place. The two white poles
seen are the harbour lights,
a device to enable boats to
come into the harbour at
night. The Attrill family at St Helens Duver put up the lights soon after the
harbour was made in the 1880s. It is interesting to note that the Attrills
regarded themselves as ‘Bembridgers’ because the children went to school
at Bembridge and the family did their shopping there. Also their transport
across the harbour was by ferry which the family ran.
The white posts that border the harbour carried a pipe that brought water to
the Point area as there was no water supply there. The ferries to Portsmouth
needed lots of water for the journey across the Solent.
The first ‘houseboat’ to dock on the harbour was the Queen Victoria lifeboat
that did its service at Lane End. The vessel was used as a summer residence
by the Love family and could only be reached by rowing boat.
At the end of the 2nd World War some of the Landing Craft and MTBs were
placed on site and a few still remain.
Note that the swans were residents here long before the harbour was
completed and they are still here.
John Woodford March 2015
The Belmont Singers
Welsh Male Voice Choir the” Belmont Singers” will be performing at
Bembridge Methodist Church on Wednesday 3rd June at 2.30pm Tea
and Cakes will be served in the interval. Please come along and enjoy
an afternoon of wonderful singing. Donations will be split between
the choir and Mission Aviation Fellowship flying doctors and nurses
where they are most needed.
4
BEMBRIDGE WINDMILL WI
March was the chance for
members
of
Bembridge
Windmill WI to sample the craft
of beading by making a beaded
bookmark/handbag charm. The
Cloisters was transformed into
a veritable Aladdin’s Cave with
brightly coloured beads and all
sorts of sparkly bits.
The first major hurdle was to sort the stands of cotton and identify the
longest. Second, more difficult hurdle was threading the needle! Fortunately
each table seemed to have an eagle eyed “needle threader” and everyone
was ready for fun bit.
It was all going so well until trying to tie off the ends of the thread which
resulted in many mutterings as beads fell off. Sympathy from some and
contented sighs of achievement as it all went right. Right – one strand
completed. Only two more to go! The laughter and chatter helped
although there were times when the concentration was a physical presence
in the room.
By the end of the evening everyone had a two or three stranded bookmark/
charm. Everyone said they had enjoyed themselves and there were a
few who wanted to do more. Everyone thanked Chris and expressed
appreciation for all her hard work in the preparation that ensured the
evening went so smoothly.
Earlier in the month a group of members had an outing to Tregear Pottery
in Niton. They were shown the various processes leading to a completed
item, including how the beautiful designs are created. The owners
made the group extremely welcome and explained the history and
development of the enterprise and the exciting plans for the future. Coffee
and cake enjoyed in Niton after the visit which everyone agreed had been
really enjoyable.
The May meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Monday 18 May at The Cloisters.
The speaker will be Alan Marriott of the Isle of Wight County Press. Visitors
are always welcome, contact Sarah Atkins 873873 for more information, or
just come along.
6
Bembridge in Bloom 2015
In April, all around us, Spring flowers delighted our senses and uplifted our
spirits. We look forward to the joys of Summer ahead. In 2014 Bembridge
was successful in many different aspects of village life. Amongst others,
these included gaining the Best Kept Extra Large Village Award and
subsequently the prestigious Hampshire &.Isle of Wight Village of the Year
Award. These Awards are a great honour and also bring welcome financial
support to the village.
Mrs Peggy Jarman, who has led Wight in Bloom Group for 20 years, is
retiring. She has made a tremendous contribution to Island life. Sadly,
no-one volunteered to replace her, so the Wight in Bloom Competition
will cease, but local “In Bloom” groups can continue to organise and fund
their own Competitions. After a presentation to the Dragons Den recently,
Bembridge in Bloom was awarded £200 towards shrubs and plants which
will be a great help. The Parish Council Village Partnership supports our
efforts and the Parish Council Office staff undertake the administration, for
which we are most grateful.
The “Bembridge Weeders” do more than their nickname suggests and
have welcomed several new members recently. Nowadays we concentrate
on keeping the Village Centre looking tidy and attractive, supporting the
excellent work of the Lengthsmen.
Residents may have noted that the removal of the huge Phormium / NZ
Flax has opened up the War Memorial Garden. Replanting will take place
shortly.
In May, the Best Kept Village Competition begins again. Judges
arrive unannounced to scrutinise and mark each of 44 villages on a
comprehensive list of 15 categories! Some of these include absence of
litter, state of dog and litter bins, wide verges, hedges and fences, tidiness
of gardens, care of trees, conditions of buildings such as Village and
Community Halls,, surroundings of places of worship, recreational areas,
condition and cleanliness of Public toilets, pavements and notice boards
etc. Every aspect of our Bembridge environment is inspected and judged.
Everyone’s help is needed to ensure litter is correctly placed in the bins
provided, posters fixed neatly on notice boards and removed after the
event. Every detail counts! Many people litter pick in their own area or join
PC led Litter Picks. Sincere thanks to all involved.
continued page 9
8
continued from page 7
The Bembridge in Bloom Competition will take place again this year.
Entry forms will be available in the Community Library and the PC Office.
Posters will give details. Hose Rhodes Dickson has generously sponsored
the Competition and Awards ceremony for many years. I am delighted that
Doreen Harris will join me again helping with the organisation. Do please
enter your garden or frontage. It will give pleasure to you and all who pass
by. We are greatly blessed to live in Bembridge with its unique location,
wonderful environment and vibrant caring community.
In October Bembridge will have the honour of hosting the Hampshire & Isle
of Wight “Village of the Year” Awards Ceremony. Organisers and Finalists will
travel to the Island on this occasion! Let’s all ensure that Bembridge looks
its welcoming best!
Barbara Clough
Bembridge in Bloom Co-ordinator
Coffee Brunch in the Cloisters
2nd May from 11am until 1.30 pm
Soup, bacon baps, coffee and cake
Books and raffle
"PRAYER CONCERT FRIDAY 29th MAY AN EVENING OF CONCERTED PRAYER
Friday 29th May 7.30 - 9pm
at Bembridge Methodist Prayer Concert.
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 etc.
Any queries please email Andrew Hough [email protected]"
10
Bembridge RNLI Lifeboat Guild News
Lifeboat action in March:
March was another quiet month for the lifeboat, with only one call to
action. On the 12th March the all-weather lifeboat “Alfred Albert Williams”
was launched at 2.40am to the assistance of a 27’ yacht which having lost all
power was disabled in the main shipping channel in the vicinity of No Mans
Land Fort with a crew of two aboard. Having no working VHF radio aboard,
they had alerted the Coastguard by mobile phone. Following a search,
the vessel was eventually located by Spit Bank Fort at 3.15am and taken
to Haslar Marina at Gosport, the lifeboat arriving back at station at 4.00am.
Bembridge’s new ‘D’ Class inshore lifeboat arrives:
On Monday, 9th March, the new ‘D’ class inshore lifeboat D 778 “Norman
Harvey” arrived at Bembridge. Replacing the previous ‘D’ class “Dorothy
Beatrice May Gorman” which had been in service since 2006, the new
lifeboat, built at the RNLI’s East Cowes inshore lifeboat Centre, was
provided by a kind donation by Joan Harvey in memory of her late
husband Norman. Joan Harvey has actively supported the RNLI for many
years and is the souvenir secretary of the RNLI Guild’s Seaview, St Helens
and Brading Haven branch.
The new 'D' class inshore lifeboat D778 "Norman Harvey"
11
Coffee Morning – Saturday, 9th May
There will be a coffee morning in aid of the RNLI on Saturday, 9th May,
between 10am and 12 midday at Bembridge Village Hall. There will be sales
of cakes, jewellery, books, bric-a-brac and lifeboat souvenirs as well as a
raffle. As always, all proceeds will go directly towards the lifeboats, helping
to save lives at sea.
May Day Bank Holiday Street Fair and Bank Holiday Week events:
The Bembridge Lifeboat Guild will again be holding a stall at the Bembridge
Street Fair on Bank Holiday Monday, 25th May, selling books, bric-a-brac and
lifeboat souvenirs, all in support of the lifeboats.
In addition to this, during the Bank Holiday week from May 23rd to 31st,
there will be a range of educational and sea safety activities at the lifeboat
station at Lane End every day during the week. This will be an opportunity
to come along and see how the RNLI in general and the Bembridge lifeboat
in particular, operates as a lifesaving organisation. The RNLI’s Coastal Safety
Officer will be able to give advice on sea safety issues and carry out safety
checks on lifejackets as well as advising on any boating safety enquiries.
Opening times for May:
The RNLI souvenir shop and offshore boathouse will be open from 2pm to
4pm every day throughout May, but it is hoped that the boathouse times
may be extended to 11am to 4pm through the Bank Holiday week, for the
educational and sea safety activities.
Ken Orchard
Bembridge RNLI Lifeboat Guild Press Officer – 01983 873139
A Meditation
Sit comfortably in a firm chair.
feet on the floor, hands on your thighs, shoulders relaxed.
Take a few minutes to unwind.
Take a deep breath, hold it for a few seconds and let it go.
Breathe out. Imagine breathing out all you want to let go of.
Breathe in. Ask God to fill you with His love and presence.
Breathe in His Love ..... Breathe out hate
Breathe in His life ..... Breathe out pain
Breathe in His peace ..... Breathe out anziety
Breathe in His gentleness ..... Breathe out tension
Enjoy
12
May at Carisbrooke Priory
Open Door Speakers:
7th May
Canon Alan Brown. (Communion)
14th May
Ian & Pat Attrill
21st May
Rita Goddard
28th May
Howard Heyburn
Open Door Service every Thursday at 12noon followed by
Lunch in the Dining room approx 1.00pm
Priory Art – Every Monday 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
14
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 15
Report from St Michaels
Lent finished with the celebration of the great feast of Easter on Easter
Sunday, 5th April. The church was decorated and filled with flowers and
many visitors attended mass.
Tuesday 12th May St Mary’s Church Hall 7pm
History Society talk on “Magna Carta” by Ed Matyjaszek to mark 800 years
since this significant event. The role of the Church in this - often undervalued
- will be explored.
Sunday 24th May Feast of Pentecost Mass at 9.15am as usual
This feast is often called the “Birthday of the Church”.
This is the weekend of the Bembridge
Festival. A flower festival at Holy
Trinity will take place, with many
village organisations contributing
an arrangement. Kathy Norris will do
the arrangement from St Michael’s.
The colourful arrangements against
the Victorian stained glass make this
always worth a visit.
25th May Street Fair 12 noon
St Michael’s church will organise the usual Silent Auction in the room
adjacent to the library. Many interesting items will be auctioned.
Bidders need to write their bids and, as usual, the highest bidder wins.
Come and join us for an interesting experience!
Yvonne Rowles
The Friends of Holy Trinity Church Bembridge
Invite you and your friends to the
Flower Festival Preview
Friday 22nd May 6pm – 8pm
With drinks and canapés and beautiful flower arrangements
Tickets £5 each from The Ink Shop, Lane End, Bembridge
or after the 10.30am Service at Holy Trinity
16
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
MAY 2015
SUNDAY
3rd THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
8.00am
Holy Communion at Holy Trinity (BCP)
10.30am
Thank God it’s Sunday
worship for all ages at Holy Trinity
Monday
4th 9.00am
Monday Meditation at Holy Trinity
Wednesday
6th 9.30am
Matins at St Luke’s
10.00am
MU Corporate Holy Communion
at St Luke’s
SUNDAY
10th THE SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
8.00am
Holy Communion at St Luke’s (BCP)
10.30am
Parish Communion with
Stepping Stones at Holy Trinity
Monday
11th 9.00am
Monday Meditation at Holy Trinity
tuesday
14th 7.00pm
Taizé Worship & Prayer
at the Methodist Church
Wednesday
13th 9.30am
Matins at St Luke’s
10.00am
Holy Communion at St Luke’s
3.00pm
Triangle Bereavement Group
in the Cloisters
Thursday
14th 10.00am
Ascension Day Holy Communion at
Holy Trinity
SUNDAY
17th THE SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
(SUNDAY AFTER ASCENSION DAY)
8.00am
Holy Communion at St Luke’s (BCP)
10.30am
Parish Communion with
Stepping Stones at Holy Trinity
17
Monday
18th 9.00am
Monday Meditation at Holy Trinity
Tuesday 19th 7.00pm
Taize Worship & Prayer at Holy Trinity
Wednesday
20th 9.30am
Matins at St Luke’s
10.00am
Holy Communion at St Luke’s
Saturday 23rd – Tuesday 26th
Flower Festival in Holy Trinity
SUNDAY
24th DAY OF PENTECOST (WHIT SUNDAY)
8.00am
Holy Communion at St Luke’s (BCP)
10.30am
Parish Communion with
Stepping Stones at Holy Trinity
6.00pm
Village Songs of Praise at Holy Trinity
with Rev Tim Daykin – see below
Monday
25th No Monday Meditation
12.00 – 4.00pm
Street Fair in the Village
Wednesday
27th 9.30am
Matins at St Luke’s
10.00am
Holy Communion at St Luke’s
SUNDAY
31st TRINITY SUNDAY
8.00am
Holy Communion at St Luke’s (BCP)
10.30am
Parish Communion and Stepping Stones
FUNERALS
10th March
11th March
13th March
31st March
Sybil Garrett
Doreen Swift
Francis Tanner
Eileen Hudson
Tim will be our special
guest presenter at
Village Songs of Praise on
Sunday 24th May
Holy Trinity Church
Bembridge at 6pm
Rev Tim Daykin
BBC Radio Solent
Sunday mornings
6am – 9am
If you don’t already wake up to Tim Daykin on Sunday mornings, then give
him a try! Tim plays inspirational music coupled with lively conversation,
and guests from the faith communities in the Solent region, providing a
unique mix to start the day.
Tim was sent home early from Sunday School for being naughty. He never
thought he would end up a Church of England vicar or be the presenter of
a Sunday morning programme for BBC Radio Solent.
Make a note to come along to this special Village Songs of Praise.
18
Rev. Frances Watson
Ph. 01983 404804
Email: [email protected]
MAY 2015 CALENDAR
MIDWEEK EVENTS AND SUNDAY WORSHIP
Sunday 3rd
10.30am
Morning Worship
Local Arrangement with Andy Hough
Sunday 10th
10.30am
Morning Worship,
Rev Frances Watson
Sacrament of Holy Communion
Sunday 17th
10.30am
Morning Worship
Youth For Christr
Sunday 24th
10.30am
Morning Worship, Church Anniversary
Local Arranement with John Budd
Sunday 31st
10.30am
Morning Worship
Shirley Whittingstall, Local Preacher
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
19
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
20
St Helens Medical Centre
There is no doubt that maintaining a healthy lifestyle in today’s society, with
all its pressures, can be very difficult. About 20% of the annual NHS budget
is spent on problems, directly associated with poor lifestyle and as we know
what contributes to this, we all have a role to play in improving our health.
You need not be on your own with these problems though. Currently the
upstairs waiting room at the St Helens surgery has a healthy eating board,
which gives lots of useful tips and alternatives. If, after reading this, you
would like more information, there is the ‘Self Help’ heading on our website
www.sthelensmedicalcentre.com where a link to the NHS Choices webpage
has over 100 topics on healthy living. Also you can call the Practice on
telephone number 01983 871828 to speak to a nurse to discuss any specific
questions you may have regarding healthy lifestyle. Incidentally our Stop
Smoking clinic is still continuing on Tuesday mornings and we if you need
help to stop smoking, please get in touch.
Finally we are pleased announce that on 1st April, Debbie Bardell joined the
Practice full time as a Community Care Liaison Nurse. Debbie has worked at
the Surgery as a Care Navigator for the past 12 months.
VE DAY – 8th MAY 1945
After the 65th anniversary a few of us locals met, as you do, in the pub and
recalled the celebrations. The main event was an enormous bonfire down
point – actually on the concrete where Bennett’s now work. During the
war, fearing air raids on Portsmouth Dockyard, some bright spark had the
idea of a diversionary tactic. This comprised the manufacture of a large
number of 4ft cubes comprising wooden frames, chicken-wire sides and
inside rags etc well dowsed in oil, which were of course highly inflammable
and placed on the marshes ready to be lit. They were thankfully not used
as otherwise Bembridge would have been bombed instead of Pompey, but
were transported by Tractor and Trailer on VE day to form the bonfire. It was
so successful that the heat scorched the windows in the Spit where Solent
Landing now stands. There was also much dancing in the street outside
the Church room, now the Village Hall, and considerable revelry and I am
sure drinking. I think we all thought, when pontificating over our drinks,
what an awfully long time ago that was. Let’s hope we don’t have any more
wars like that.
Terry Weaver
22
Bembridge Heritage Society – Spring News
Spring is on its way as we can see from the lovely display in
Ducie Avenue.
We have been busy getting the Centre ready for the opening on 1st April.
Our main topic will be shops in the village both past and present. Verena
Sparrow is keen to hear any anecdotes, however small, to add to the history
of trade in the village.
Our March meeting on 26th March is also about the changing face of
shopping at Lane End.
Our January meeting was held in The Cloisters, our new venue for the
year, when Lynn Clarke told us what happens to all our rubbish. What a
speaker! To hold the rapt attention of 40 people on the subject of yoghurt
cartons and eggshells showed what a passionate recycler Lynn is. It was
so encouraging to know that any effort made to dispose of our rubbish
responsibly was not wasted.
The Cloistersis such a light and airy building, modernised without losing
the old world charm that so many schoolchildren remember.
On the subject of buildings we are having to have more work done to our
Centre to prevent muddy water from gushing in from the Spare Ground
next door.
At our February meeting Bob Ward gave an insight into growing up in the
village and then how, by taking every opportunity that came his way, he
moved into careers that took him all over the world. Not bad for a schoolboy
told that he wouldn’t make much of his life!
Visitors to the Library will notice that from April 1st they will be able to
access the Heritage Centre through the door by the Junior Books section.
We hope that this new arrangement will
Spring is on its way, Ducie Avenue
benefit us both. Whoever is on duty in
the Centre on Saturday 4th April can take
advantage of the refreshments available
at the Library’s Coffee Morning. Please try
to support their event.
The Heritage’s own Coffee Morning
scheduled for 24th April will now be
moved to later in the year. You will be
advised nearer the time when it is to take
place.
24
continued page 30
continued from page 28
We are hoping to have tables at this year’s Street Fair when we shall
have good quality bric-a-brac for sale at bargain prices!
We shall also have our bookstall, selling our newest book
‘BEMBRIDGE APART –A Local History’
and all the little booklets covering the Village past
and present.
Do make this the year you discover us hidden
behind the Library. You will find yourself lost in the
history of the Village.
And it is all free – no admission charge this year!
WORKING TOGETHER FOR BEMBRIDGE
For the first time since opening four years ago, Bembridge Community
Library joined forces with the Bembridge Heritage Society, offering visitors
free admission and direct access to the adjacent Heritage Centre through
the library itself.
The link-up was tested as part of the Library's Easter Coffee Morning on
Easter Saturday. The experiment proved very successful, and consequently
cooperation between the two organisations is to continue throughout the
summer, providing a new multi-venue attraction for Bembridge.
The Coffee Morning raised more than £200 for
Library funds, and featured stalls displaying and
selling the craft work of the Bembridge Library
Stitchers, an extensive Bring and Buy Stall, a grand
Easter Tombola, a stall selling delicious homemade cakes, as well as music provided by the
Bembridge Recorder Consort.
Bembridge residents
Ennis Smith (left) and
Joan Allsop entered into
the spirit of the event
proudly sporting
their Easter bonnets.
Another popular attraction at the event was the
library’s own extensive collection of donated
books, offering many of the latest hardbacks for
just £1 and paperbacks for 50p.
All money raised from the event will be used to
support the Community Library, now in its fourth
year and which continues to be run entirely by
volunteers.
26
Holy Trinity Church, Bembridge
Flower Festival
‘Journey of life’
Saturday 23rd ~ Tuesday 26th May
10am – 5pm
Admission free – donations very welcome
Parish Communion on Sunday 24th at 10.30am
WINDMILLS VILLAGE FAYRE
Storyteller Corner
Kids Tombola & Games
Art & Craft Activities
Glitter Tattoos & Face Painting
Plus Local Arts & Crafts
Pocket money stalls
Afternoon teas,
Cake, Book Stalls & Raffle
Saturday 16th May
2.00pm – 4.30pm
Bembridge Village Hall
ne
ryo e
e
v
E lcom
We
28
Bembridge Singers Sing with Valen’Choeur
Bembridge Singer’s Early Summer Concert will include a selection of light
pieces and Rutter’s Feel the Spirit. It will be held at Bembridge Church on
Saturday 16th May at 7.30. There is no ticket price however there will be a
collection at the close of the concert.
A little background about VALEN’CHOEUR
What is the meaning behind this name? Two elements closely
entwined….a choir and the village of Valencin.
Valen’choeur is a group of volunteer, amateur singers brought
together by a mutual love of choral singing combined with a
demanding musical vitality.
The choir has 21 highly motivated members who have recently acquired
their independence from the local music school but who remain firmly
attached to the village where the choirwas first formed twenty years ago.
But, who are these 21 choir members?
Made up of 6 sopranos, 8 altos, 3 tenors and 4 basses, Valen’choeur
is a fine vocal ensemble that distinguishes itself with its eclectic
repertoire. French songs, from the Renaissance to the present day;
Gospel songs; songs in English, African, Russian, Brazilian, Italian;
classic, jazz and pop and a whole range of melodies invite you to
travel the world.
In a relaxed atmosphere our choir leader Marion gently and expertly guides
our singing so that the rich choice of songs, the charm of our voices and our
infectious smiles soon become one.
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Bembridge Townswomen’s Guild
The guest speaker this month at the Bembridge Townswomen’s Guild was Mark
Earp with his talk about Eccentric Women on the island. We learnt that many
eccentric and courageous women were born on the island and as his research
started in the fifteenth century there were a lot of them. Did you know the first
woman to receive a congratulatory telegram from a monarch was Mary Reed
from Cowes? Mark’s talk was both informative and entertaining, a very good
speaker indeed. Mark was certainly kept busy during the tea break answering
many questions.
Our coffee morning in March was a great success and we will be able to send
£500 to the Scouts to assist them to reach their goal to send two representatives
to the World Scouting Jamboree in Japan. One of the scouts Megan Jones
arrived on the morning with loads of home-made cookies to sell, and I must
say they were absolutely delicious!!
We have completed the craft items that are to be sent to the Federation Craft
Show at the end of the month.
Supper club will once again meet this month at Foxes.
The activity group will have a walk arranged beginning at Yaverland.
Verena told us about the opening of the Heritage Centre here in Bembridge
and Gill told us about the tours now open for the Fort.
We are so lucky to have so much going on in the village.
The winners of the best bloom competition were Juliet, Eve and Verena.
The competition winners for a hand-made rabbit were Marion, Verena and
Juliet, though I personally thought they all deserved to be winners because
they were all so appealing (rabbits I mean).
Ten year badges were then presented to Sheila Donald and Pat Bugby.
Our next meeting will be on May 5th.when Harriet Robinson will give us a talk
entitled “It’s in the Bag”.
Any lady wishing to join us will be made most welcome. We meet in the
Methodist Hall in Foreland Road.
Dot Harrison – Press Secretary tel: 872992
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Meetings: Saturday May 16th at 10:00 am Plant Sale and Coffee Morning
May is one of the busiest months in the garden, when the grass keeps growing and
there’s always more weeding to do. There are seedlings to prick out and pot on,
and hanging baskets and tubs to plant up. It’s an exciting time, when everything
is fresh and new, so make sure you take the opportunity to enjoy the garden and
the countryside.
Strawberries in May
Pick of this month’s plants
June has always been the traditional
time for eating strawberries but this
pleasure doesn’t have to be restricted
to the Wimbledon tennis season.
There are now many different ways
of planting which make it possible to
spread the feast over several months.
Iris are often known as “rainbow
flowers” as they come in so many
different
shades
and
colour
combinations. They are found in
Mediterranean countries where they
have adapted to the dry conditions by
storing water in their rhizomes (a type
of bulb). The flowers are made up of
two parts, “standards” (upright petals)
and “falls” (petals which spread out
and down). Bearded irises, which have
been cultivated for centuries, have an
area of hairs in the centre of each “fall”
which is thought to help pollination.
Plant irises with the rhizomes half
above the soil so they get baked by
the sun. Add plenty of compost and
water well early in the year. Then enjoy
the colourful display in May.
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Generally strawberries need to be
grown in well-drained soil, in full sun
and protected from wind. Try smaller
varieties in a hanging basket, but do
remember they’ll need regular feeding
and plenty of water. If you’re short on
space, consider a bespoke strawberry
pot. Or use a growing bag raised off
the ground, or pots which can be
brought in or out of the greenhouse.