United Benefice of Ampfield, Chilworth and North Baddesley

A Letter from Peter Gilks

Dear Friends,
On each of the coins in your pocket around the Queen’s head, you can see the letters DG REG FD. Translated from the Latin these stand for “By the Grace of God Queen and Defender of the Faith”
The title “Defender of the Faith” (Fidei Defensor) was originally awarded to Henry VIII in 1521 by Pope Leo, and has been borne by British monarchs ever since. Ironically, in view of later events, this was after he wrote the a book entitled “The Defence of the Seven Sacraments” which promoted both the sacramental nature of marriage and the supremacy of the Pope! The initials FD have been engraved on all British coinage since 1741 (with the brief exception of the “godless florin” when it was omitted by the Royal Mint, to Queen Victoria’s outrage.)
The Church of England is quite unusual in that the monarch is supreme governor of the church, she actually ranks above the Archbishop of Canterbury; and so when clergy are ordained and whenever we are licensed to parishes we are required each time to take an oath of allegiance to the Sovereign as well as one to the Bishop. I think I have done this about six times.
When we celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in June the church will be celebrating her reign not just as our civil monarch and governor, but as our spiritual one as well. Monarchs have varied widely in their spiritual maturity and devotion, but in Queen Elizabeth II we have a person who takes her spiritual governorship very seriously and is, personally, a most devout Christian. Recently she took the most unusual step of speaking out on behalf of the Church of England, voicing her support for the faithful work done by congregations in all kinds of situations to promote the benefit of the whole community.
She herself has modeled this life of service throughout her reign, and so she and Prince Philip have both won a great affection and respect in people’s hearts.
We will be saying prayers of thankfulness for her person and for her reign in our services on June 3rd. If you are not able to be present with us, I have included some on Page 5 should you wish to use them privately.
As well as prayers during each of the morning services on June 3rd, there will be an Ecumenical Service at All Saints, North Baddesley at 6 p.m. After the service we invite you to a Bring-and-Share Supper in the Church Hall. Everyone will be most warmly welcome.

With love
Peter
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Volunteers Required!

Planning is already underway for this years fete, which will be held on June 16th.
We’re looking for helpers to distribute leaflets and collect items in the run up to the big day.
Could anyone interested please contact me  on derek1303allen@yahoo.co.uk or call 02380276350.

Many Thanks - Derek Allen
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A Memorable Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday - yes I know it’s over, but this year’s, for me was really special, and I just felt I had to put pen to paper and share it with you all.
Under Peter’s guidance and with the help of different readings, hymns and prayers we moved around the church, and grounds, and along the way “visited” all parts of the Easter story. We stood at the church door and welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem with our blessed palm crosses; we watched while Peter washed feet and then we shared bread and “wine” at the last supper (in St Mark’s room); we prayed with Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane; we stood outside Pontius Pilate’s house while Jesus was sentenced to be crucified and then stood at the foot of a tree with a cross to remember how our dear Lord died.
Finally we went back into the church to see the final resting place of Jesus the man, provided in the shape of a beautiful model Easter garden, complete with tomb and stone, provided by Ampfield school. Our journey ended here as we had the coming week to look forward to the deep joy of celebrating the risen Lord on Easter Sunday. I think I speak on behalf of all those present when I say this was a most profound and moving experience, and one I will not forget. Alleluia!
Jo Hooper
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Error in the Annual Parish Newsletter

Please note that there was a typographical error in the Parish Newsletter which was delivered to all households in the Parish during April.
The phone number of Caroline Nokes’s drop-in surgery was shown incorrectly, the correct number being 01794 521155. The Parish Council apologise for any inconvenience caused by this error.

Doreen Matthews—Clerk to the Parish Council
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Ampfield Market - June 2nd
Special Diamond Jubilee Edition
10.00 a.m. - 12.00 noon Competition Time

The Ampfield Market on June 2nd coincides with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebratory weekend. To mark this special and historic occasion we would like everyone in the village to come to the Market, meet up with friends and family and make it a really happy Ampfield get together. We invite adults to design and wear a crown and we invite the children to dress up as princes or princesses for the morning. There will be prizes for the best crown, best prince and best princess.
Come along and join in the fun and make this a memorable village event.

Julie Trotter
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The Ampfield Art Class

The Ampfield Art Class is now in it's ninth year.
It takes place on a Thursday afternoon between 2 p.m.
and 4 p.m. in Ampfield Village Hall.  If you are an
absolute beginner or if you would like to develop
your skills further then come along and join our enthusiastic, friendly and informal group.  Help and guidance is given on an individual basis.  Each session costs £5 and refreshments are included .
The Summer term began on Thursday 19th April 2012, but it's not to late to join us and new students are always very welcome.
If you would like more information please contact  me on 02380  254587.
Julie Trotter
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St. Mark’s Room

The community room behind the church is available for hire for suitable events by local parishioners. The room has catering facilities and can accommodate around 40 people.
If you are interested then please contact Heather Selfe on 01794 513655.
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Our Boiler House

The boiler house is in urgent need of repair. The wooden structure is rotting and the roof is leaking, which has caused the fire proof lining to deteriorate. The cost to do the necessary repairs is £2350.00.
Any donations towards this repair will be gratefully received. Cheques should be made payable to Ampfield PCC.
Many thanks.
Jean Smith and Derek Allen
Churchwardens
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ST MARK’S CHURCH
AMPFIELD
SUMMER FETE
Saturday 16th June 2012
in the Church grounds
2.00 pm

In aid of Church Funds

Entertainment: Thornden Band,
Ampfield School, Children’s Races

Teas, Ice cream, Plants, Side Shows, Cake Stall, Raffle, Jewellery,
China & Glass, and many more

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Over 60’s Lunch

To be held in St. Mark’s Room
Wednesday 30th May
12.00 noon for 12.30 p.m.
£4.50 per person Raffle

Contact Eve Earle 01794 368488
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From the St. Mark's Registers

Funerals
We pray for the soul of
Mary Hennessy, whose funeral took place at St Marks on 3rd April
Rest eternal grant to her O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon her
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ampfield Crusaders Cricket Club

Ampfield Crusaders Cricket Club, you may be surprised to learn, has been playing on the Ampfield Recreational Ground for 100 years now. They have in fact been around for longer than that, as they were formed in 1888. 2013 will therefore be its 125th anniversary, which will see them playing a match against their ‘twin cricket club’ ‘Langwith CC’ from Mansfield.
A committee of 11 players runs the club with local Ampfield resident Alan Wilson as its new President. They meet every month of the year with John Sorrell as their Chair and work hard to prepare for the playing of cricket each summer. They are all volunteers and give up their time, which includes the day-to-day administration of the club, preparing the cricket square, building relationships and making sure they have enough players and money to see out the season. Recent successes include securing a 3-year sponsorship deal with HugoFox.com, a new boundary rope and brand new scoreboard.
The club currently has two Saturday sides in the Hampshire Cricket League with the first XI in Regional Division North West 2 and the second XI just a league below. They also play mid week on a Tuesday and on some Sundays. It is a club goal to start a youth section in the near future, if you’re interested in helping them please contact the club direct.
As you may be aware, the recreation ground has recently benefitted from some improvements which make it a much more pleasant place to play and watch cricket. A new scorers hut has been installed and will be a welcome spot on those cold early summer evenings. A new footpath has been built that links the changing rooms and other facilities. The concrete base has also been spruced up with a post and rope fence, making it more homely and more like a cricket club should look. This was done in partnership with the Parish Council. On top of that the club has purchased club caps, with team badges and player initials embroidered, for 30 of its regular players.
In the past three years the two Saturday sides have both been promoted, with Jayson Smith's 189, in 2010, a league record. The aim now is to keep moving forward, improve the facilities and secure the future by getting a youth team set up. Running the cricket club is a full time job but with the support of the Parish Council, White Horse PH and other sponsors it makes it all worthwhile. So why not pop along and support your local team, a cup of tea awaits all new supporters!
The new season gets underway on Saturday the 5th May with the first XI playing host to Dinton II. The games start at 2 p.m, weather permitting. There is a game at the recreation ground every Saturday until the end of August, plus some Tuesdays and Sundays too. All the Saturday home matches are shown on Page 16.
If you want to see the full fixture list it can be found on the club website at http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/ampfieldcrusaderscc/. The club is also on Twitter @AmpfieldCricket.
If you can help in anyway, from playing, umpiring, scoring or sponsoring the team then please get in touch with Club Chairman John Sorrell on 07810606866.
Here’s to a long hot and successful summer for Ampfield Crusaders Cricket Club.
John Sorrell—ACCC Chairman
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Readings for March Services at St. Mark's

Readings for the 9.30 a.m. Communion Service
13th:Acts 10: 44-end :1 John 5: 1-6 :John 15: 9-17
27th:Acts 2: 1-21 :Romans 8: 22-27 :John 15: 26-27 and 16: 4-15

Readings for the 11.00 a.m. Worship for All
6th:John 15: 1-8
20th:John 17: 6-19
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A Year in Chapel Wood - April 2012

‘Light rain and highs of 12°C’ was the forecast drifting out of the radio early in the morning of the 14th April. Clearly, first on the day’s agenda was going to be what to wear. A tricky decision at the best of times but today it was even harder. Apart from the normal scrabbling around in the undergrowth that is associated with woodland working parties, today we had a photo call for the Parish Assembly presentations. A careful balance was called for – a cross between the traditional rustic woodland garb and something offering a certain understated elegance, perhaps. Let’s see…
Meanwhile, back in the real world, it was time to loan up the trailer. We were going to finish putting in the woodland trail signposts this morning so we had posts, bags of post cement, tools, wheelbarrows, maps and sundry other bits of kit to get on site and distributed exactly where they had to go. With the exception of one post, which we left in the wrong place, we nearly managed to get this absolutely spot-on. Sadly, this situation was noticed only after the hole-diggers had dug their hole. We assumed their cries, that followed this discovery, were those of joy and happiness as they realised they were then able to dig an extra hole 2 metres away!!
This small hiccough aside, it is pleasing to report this project is now finished. We have state-of–the-art signposts throughout the wood marking all the trails. You cannot get lost!! There was the suggestion that this claim should be put to the test by sending the grandchildren of the Friends around the wood with the instruction that they could only follow the signs. Happily, as there was no agreement regarding were they might end up; this idea was abandoned, at least temporarily.
One of the really fantastic things about the working parties these days is that we have enough ‘Friends’ that we can do several things at the same time. So whilst we were putting in the signposts, we also had a team weeding and cutting back the area above the fountain. Thanks to their hard work this area is becoming a real picture and we are hoping to have plants of interest here all through the year. Currently (April), the pride of place goes to the Pieris, where the new growth really does resemble a forest flame.
Also very worthy of mention is the hard work put in by another of the friends, who spent a long time walking round in the rain – yes, all of this was going on in the rain – picking up litter and other unwanted artefacts, including half a pair of old wellington boots. It is jobs like this that really keep the woodland up together. Definitely, he was first in line when it came to coffee and chocolate biscuits. Incidentally, if you see someone walking round the village with one wellington; please, say nothing!!
The Friends of Chapel Wood is a group of volunteers who meet on the 2nd Saturday morning each month at 09.45 in the church car park. The idea is to have some fun whilst taking care of the wood for the future. New members are always welcome. No experience is necessary, so if you like the idea, please come along.
The Friends of Chapel Wood
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Prayer Diary for May

1st:On this May Day may we all celebrate May poles and May queens and enjoy all that spring brings.
2nd:We pray thanks today for our wonderful Ministry team. May God bless them all.
3rd:Dear God, we thank you for the beauty of our earth and all of your creation.
4th:In view of the recent wonderful success of Comic Relief, we thank all involved in raising money and gifts for good causes.
5th:Thank you Lord for all involved in teaching young people today,
especially those with special needs.
6th:Please be there Lord for all who strive to fight evil, in so many
different ways.
7th:On this May Day’s holiday we pray for warmth and happiness for everybody.
8th:During this year’s centenary of the Titanic disaster, may we all
remember the twelve hundred deaths on board the Lusitania, sunk this day in 1915.
9th:We thank you Lord for the flowers and all the glorious diversity of nature’s beauty.
10th:A thank you prayer for all involved in the collection of our domestic and garden refuse.
11th:Lord, please be there for all who are grieving. Please give them hope and comfort.
12th:We remember Florence Nightingale who was born on this day in 1820. Lord, please bless all in the medical profession today.
13th:Today is Rogation Sunday, which literally means “to ask”.
All we ask, Lord, is for your love for us all.
14th:We thank you for all the different kinds of medicines, which are so important in the fight against illness.
15th:Today marks the start of Christian Aid Week. A big thank you for all those involved in such a wonderful charity.
16th:Dear Lord, be there for all the good people involved in conflicts. Please keep them safe.
17th:On this Ascension Day we remember, Lord, your time on this Earth and all that you stand for, then and today.
18th:We remember all those people that are homeless. Please find them shelter Lord.
19th:Please bless all children everywhere. They bring such joy.
20th:We pray thank you Lord for our beautiful church and all who give up so much time keeping it that way.
21st:We pray today for all today’s Good Samaritans and the good work that they do for others.
22nd:We thank you Lord for the Woodland Group, who keep the church’s surroundings looking so good.
23rd:Dear Lord, please be there for us all in times of great need.
24th:We pray for all the people who are studying hard at school, college and university.
25th:Dear Lord, we pray for an end to the terrible unemployment
currently and look for some light at the end of the tunnel.
26th:The American Civil War ended on this day in 1865 with a death toll of half a million people. We pray for the end of all wars Lord.
27th:On this day of Pentecost, Lord, we remember that today, Whit
Sunday, fifty days after your resurrection, your disciples began to spread the Christian message.
28th:A special prayer for the elderly. May we all show them the dignity and respect that they rightfully deserve.
29th:On this day in 1953 Mount Everest was conquered. Please help us all to conquer and achieve our goals in life, Lord.
30th:Thank you Lord for the wonder of prayer. It is so important in all of our lives.
31st:Dear Lord, please help us to protect and preserve our wonderful environment.
The prayer diary was composed by Ron Cobb

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This Month’s Rotas

Church Cleaning
April 30th - May 4th:Sally Carter
May 8th - May 11th:Eve Earle
May 21st - May 25th:Sandra Howell
May 28th - June 1st:Ron Cobb

St Mark’s Room Cleaning
April 23rd - May 4th:Eve Earle
May 8th - May 18th:Ron Cobb
May 21st - June 1st:Jennie Edwards

Brass Cleaning
May 13th:Pauline Russell
May 27th:Ron Cobb

Altar Flowers
May 6th:Anne Taylor
May 13th:Anne Taylor
May 20th:Heather Selfe
May 27th (Whit Sunday):Judy Kitsell

Coffee
May 13th:Margaret Williams
May 27th (Whit Sunday):Sally Carter

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