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. 30 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 32 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. 33 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.
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