VILLAGE MAGAZINE
FOR BAWDESWELL & FOXLEY
Supported by the parish councils.
GRAND FETE
& CAR BOOT SALE
11am-4pm SUNDAY 28nd June
at Bawdeswell Recreation Ground
STALLS MINI FAIRGROUND
HOG ROAST
BAR REFRESHMENTS ICES
GAMES FAMILY SPORTS
GRAND DRAW
Bawdeswell
Village Hall
Bawdeswell Village hall can be hired by parishioners and non residents. You can also hire tables and chairs for your own events. Regular activities at the hall include Table tennis on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month, Young Farmers on Tuesdays, Countryside Rangers every other Wednesday, Weight Watchers on Thursday evenings and Pilates on Friday evenings. The Mothers & Toddlers group meet on Friday mornings 9.30 to 11.30. Seekers meet on the 1st Saturday morning each month.
When the hall is not otherwise in use on weekdays,
Bawdeswell village voluntary groups may use the hall free of charge.
For availability,
more details and a booking form please contact the booking clerk:-
David
Cockburn, Tel: (01362) 688749,
The Village Hall Committee AGM will be held
on
Monday 15th June 2009 -7.30 pm
at the Hall
BAWDESWELL ACTIVITIES GROUP (BAG)
Summer Holiday
Activities
Planning has started
for the summer holiday activities that will take place for 4 weeks during
August. Full details in the July edition of the Reeve’s Tale.
Current Activities
Table Tennis/Pool Evenings –
Mondays 8th June & 22nd June – 7.30 pm
It doesn’t matter how well you play - come along
and have some fun or just come along to socialise. Other games will be
available too. The BAG café will be open
for refreshments. There is a charge of £1.50 towards the hire of the hall.
Please check your Reeve’s Tale magazine each month for future dates.
Bridge for Fun Afternoons – Friday 26th June 2pm - 5pm
The following further
dates: 24th July, 25th September, 23rd October and 27th November have been
arranged for 2009. There is no charge
and you don’t need to book, just come along.
The cafe will be open for light refreshments.
Spring is here and its time to get ACTIVE! BAG have
a number of regular events to help you limber up ready for summer. They also help raise funds for the new
village hall by charging just £1. For
further info, call Fel Roberts 01362 688876.
Walkers and Bikers
meet alternate Saturdays at 9.30am at the village hall. Various routes and distances; suitable for
any age… even teenagers who are “bored”!
Runners meet every Thursday 6.30pm at the village
hall; run at your own pace and enjoy the company. Call Debbie Lilwall
on 07867987787 if you wish to join us
Basketball every Friday 5pm at the court – learn some
moves and play a game or two – everyone welcome.
You should have had your blue BAG for BAG
through your door by now. Remember, the
more we collect, the more funds we raise.
All bags will be collected from your doorstep or can be dropped off at
the village hall on WEDNESDAY 3rd
JUNE by 10.30am.
For further information, contact Fel Roberts 01362 688876
Don’t forget the 3 on 3 basketball tournament on Sunday 7th June.
Games, BBQ, music, prizes,
café. Come and cheer on the teams.
Sunday
28th June is FETE DAY
– this year we are having a prize draw with over 50 prizes including lots of free entry passes to many of the top
Norfolk Attractions – Please ensure you buy your tickets to be in with a chance
of winning!
Studio
Norwich Photographers
will be in the village hall on Saturday
11th July
Book your slot to have a family, pet, or grandparent
portrait done locally;
Fel Roberts 01362 688876.
Perfect presents for Christmas.
Family
Quiz Night – sorry we
had to cancel 31st May. We’re now hoping to go for 1st August.
Rock
at the Rec is Saturday 15th
August – keep the date free in your diaries – more detailed info next
month.
|
COFFEE MORNING Saturday 6th June
1030am – 2-30pm Pol-Na-Chess, Mill Road Foxley Stalls and other attractions |
|
OPEN GARDENS at The Old Rectories Foxley Sunday 21st June 2 – 5.30pm £2.50 adults, Children FREE |
ST. MARY’S CHURCH, SPARHAM
Sparham
Saturday 6th
June 2009 starting @ 2.30 p.m.
Come
and enjoy a traditional fun day
held in the beautiful gardens of The Old
Rectory.
entrance in Well Lane, Sparham
free entry – free parking - ATTRACTIONS FOR
ALL AGES
Listen
to live music and enjoy homemade tea and cakes.
Admire
a splendid range of vintage vehicles.
There
will be plants to buy and lots of sideshows,
including all the old favourites.
Please come and support
The Church of St Mary the Virgin, Sparham
contact Gus Underhill–Smith on 01362 688 658
or Fred Parkin 01362 688 878 – for
more details.
Bawdeswell Community
Primary School
The school has recently had another OFSTED inspection. We are delighted with the outcome which judges us “A Good School, with some outstanding characteristics” The report is a pat on the back for all the hard work that has been invested in the school since it was put in special measures.
It is unusual for a school to go from “special measures” to “good” in less than a year and we must congratulate all our governors, teaching, support and ancillary staff who have worked with parents to get the school into the healthy position it is in today.
We are pleased to announce that the Sports Partnership have arranged extra PE provision for us starting 12th May in the form of an Athletics Club after school. The club is running for 6 weeks and is open to years 3,4,5 & 6.
Each Class together with FOBS have been running cake stalls once a month to help raise funds for the school. So far they have been a great success in raising approximately £50 each time. We would like to thank all parent/carers who have helped us to raise this money by either baking cakes or purchasing them and to FOBS who continue to give their time to school.
It is a very busy term for school with the new intake induction day, Year 6 induction day at RHS, Sports Day, Early Years Cluster Day, cycle training, Dolphins Performance and Leavers Assembly. Further details to follow.
Bawdeswell
Badgers Pre – School
Hello everyone,
It’s a very busy time in the Bawdeswell Badgers Sett, we have been planting our seeds, going on a maths walk and generally having a great time on our new all weather surface. At the moment we are in the throe’s of learning how to take care of our pets, we have been visited by a snake, Hissing Sid, and are looking forward to tortoise’s, dogs and dragons still to come, can’t wait.
Our car boot sale was a huge success, thank you all for your hard work, watch out for:
· Children’s Fashion Show age 3 – 13 years @ Bawdeswell Village Hall Saturday 6th June 2.30 – 4 o’clock. Contact Kate on 688834.
· Pamper evening Saturday 18th July.
· 80’s Night Saturday 19th September.
Details on the above nearer the date. Thanks to all for your continued support.
Carol Taylor, Supervisor 01362 688875
Credit
Union
There is an alternative to high cost
doorstep borrowing and expensive Store Cards or Credit Cards.
Too many people are using expensive credit when there is a better local alternative. Why, because often they are not aware of Credit Unions and how they can help them.
Anyone who lives or works in Norfolk can now join the Norfolk Credit Union.
For information or an application form telephone the head office at Long Stratton on 01508 533842, send an e-mail to info@norfolkcu.co.uk or write to Norfolk Credit Union Ltd., South Norfolk House, Swan Lane, Long Stratton, Norfolk NR15 2XE.
Credit Unions are a local resource for people to save and get loans. They are independent financial co-operatives owned by the members and managed on behalf of the members by trained and skilled volunteers. They are able to provide a friendly cost effective service, particularly for small loans, and well suited to those facing financial exclusion by mainstream banks or lenders.
While a voluntary not-for-profit business they are a safe financial organisation being regulated by the Financial Services Authority, and belonging to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, the same as any bank or building society.
CHARITY
DINNER DANCE
Three Course Meal.
Entertainment with Lee Vasey and The
Big Band,
Raffle, Disco and Event Photographer
£40 per head Tables can be reserved for groups of 10 where requested.
In aid of CANCER RESEARCH UK
Friday 31st
July 2009 7pm till late
Weston Park, Weston Longville, Norwich, Norfolk
Online booking available - www.charity-dinner-dance.co.uk
Email - info@charity-dinner-dance.co.uk
Tel 0800 756 6717
Tickets are limited and are available on a first
come, first served basis.
Entertainment only tickets are also available at £10 each.
Bawdeswell and Foxley –
Then and Now, a photographic story through the ages.
So
far I have had quite a few photos and newspaper clippings to help me in my
quest to create this book – however, I would still like more… especially more
up to date ones. I really am interested
in ANY photos of the villages. Before
the book is printed, we will hold an exhibition to show the collection – in
October; more details nearer the time. If you can help in any way, please call Fel Roberts on 01362 688876.
BAWDESWELL
FOOTBALL CLUB.
Following a good start to the
season BFC will be disappointed to have come in 7th place in their division.
Results for the year were 12 won, 3 drawn, 9 lost with 68 goals for and 62
against. For information about the club please contact Philip Duffield on
(01362) 688611
BAWDESWELL BOWLS
CLUB.
Bawdeswell has an excellent
venue situated behind the Village Hall and
new members are invited to join the
club.
For further information please contact Paul Digby
on (01362) 688615
Parents & Toddlers / Baby
Group
We meet at
Bawdeswell Village Hall from 9.30am to 11.30am every Friday in term time.
Come along for a
chat and a coffee & let your child have some fun with play dough, colouring
and puzzles plus lots of toys. £1.50 per family includes a free tea/coffee and
juice.
For more
information call Kate on (01362) 688834
Children’s Fashion Show – Saturday 6th
June -12.30 – 5.30 pm
Raising funds for
ICENI CHOIR
Spring &
Summer Concerts
Friday 19th
June
All Saints
Church, Wood Norton, 7.30 pm
Saturday 27th
June
All Saints
Church,
Saturday 4th July
For more
details please contact: James Lilwall
on 01362 688499 or
pjlilwall@hotmail.com
Recital for Charity
Saturday 6th June
Hannah Francis, the
soprano and president of the Iceni Choir,
together
with Roger Rayner, the
pianist and accompanist of the choir are giving a concert of popular songs and operatic
arias in aid of the “Help
There
will be a supper after the concert. A selection of jewellery
as well as cashmere and silk pashminas will be on
sale.
For
more information and tickets please contact:
Help
Friends of Bawdeswell Church
Our warmest thanks to everyone who helped during the Flower Festival. Hard work is made so much easier with willing help and we are grateful to all of you who arranged flowers, made food, served refreshments, played inspiring music and acted as stewards during the three days.
It was noted that most of the flower arrangers were local ladies and a great credit to them, and of course there were outside friends who also did arrangements. We admired them all.
A special thank-you must go to Crystal Dyball and Sue Lilwall who have been the flower arrangers’ teachers over the past few months and without whose guidance, help and encouragement this event would not have been so spectacular.
Thank you to everybody else beavering away in the background. There has been great team spirit.
Last but not least, thank you all who visited the church and supported the Festival We hope you enjoyed it. With your help we raised nearly £2,000 towards the new organ fund
The raffle was drawn on Sunday evening and here are the results:-
HAMPER Gill
Page
£25 voucher for Bawdeswell Garden
Centre Alethia Mann
£25 voucher for Lilwall Pork Marie (Mattishall)
£20 voucher for Butler’s of
Holt Peter Bingham
Chivas
Regal Whisky Janet Ireson
Adnams Beer D Nicholson
£1 in the envelope Lottery Deborah Egmore £27.67
PROJECT
BAWDESWELL
The steering committee met at the end of
April and the various work streams reported on their progress. We were encouraged to learn that a couple of
halls in
BAG has more plans for half term and the
summer holidays and details will be found elsewhere in the Reeve’s Tale. There has been an enormous response to the
request for old photographs and historical material, which we found very
exciting and hope that this material can be sorted and eventually exhibited or
published.
Plenty is still going on behind the scenes
to get the Children’s Play Area refurbished with new equipment, but the red
tape is hampering progress.
Our next meeting is to be held on 8 June
when the Development Officer Community Projects, Norfolk Rural Community
Council will be in attendance to advise us.
More information on www.projectbawdeswell.org.uk or
call the Secretary on 688749
- o -
If you go down to the
coast today…
Wild salt marshes, beautiful sandy beaches, strangely sculpted sandy cliffs, squidgy muddy creeks and crunchy shingle with patterned flints are all just part of the attraction of Norfolk’s coastline. Our coast is also home to some amazing plants and animals such as the yellow horned-poppy with its yellow flowers and extrodinary long seed pods which can reach 25cms in length.
This summer Norfolk Wildlife Trust is running a series of events that will help people to discover more about our coastal habitats and the wildlife that make their homes there. From exploring the life in rockpools and building fossils to discovering the nocturnal world of dunes and walks to Blakeney Point there will be something to suit everyone. Event dates can be found by contacting NWT using the details below.
NWT is also asking visitors to the coast to get involved in coastal wildlife conservation by taking part in a simple wildlife survey. They are interested in your sightings of five different animals and plants – grayling butterfly, yellow horned-poppy, harbour porpoise, slipper limpet and sea-holly.
Survey forms are available from Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s
Information Service on 01603 598333 or you can submit your records on-line at www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/naturalconnections
You can also email pictures of your finds to wild@norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk
and we will confirm your identification.
THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING HELD ON 11 MAY 2009
Present: Councillors
Shannon, Mason, Beane, Cockburn and Mallen, Mrs I Floering-Blackman,
Mr G Bambridge, C Boer and 8 Parishioners.
Presentations by Mrs I Floering-Blackman (
AND THE ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD
ON 11 MAY 2009
Present: As
above.
Election of Officers:
Councillors Mason, Kirby and Mallen were be co-opted onto the Parish Council for a further year. Councillors Shannon and Mason were re-elected
as Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively.
Clerks Report:
A Summary of the Parish Council Accounts for
2008 – 2009: Total income amounted to £21,959.49, which
included a balance brought forward from 07/08 of £5828.94. Total expenditure for the year was £10,921.23,
leaving a balance to be carried over to year 09/10 of £11,038.26.
A Summary of the Project Bawdeswell Account
for 2008 – 2009: Total
income amounted to £4095.67, which included a balance brought forward from
07/08 of £1,095.67. The total expenditure for the year was £435,
leaving a balance to be carried over to year 09/10 of £3,660.67.
Resume of Work for 2008/2009:
Visits to the PC included: NCC Planning & Transportation Staff to
discuss improving public transport to rural villages; various Breckland
Officials to discuss the Local Development Framework and the introduction of
the Community Car Scheme; PSCO Angie Powles to
discuss policing issues, and the Ecologist from NCC to discuss the plans for
the refurbishment of Adams Pit.
Items to be Addressed in the Forthcoming Year: These will include: the launch of the Community Speedwatch Scheme; discussions on assistance to the Bawdeswell Heath Trust; resolution of the current drainage problem and plans for the refurbishment of Adams Pit; road safety/parking in the village, and finally to discuss the format of future Annual Parish Meetings.
DIGEST OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
MEETING HELD ON 11 MAY 2009
Present: Councillors
Shannon, Mason, Beane, Cockburn, Kirby, Lilwall, Mallen,
Mr G Bambridge, C Boer and 2
Parishioners.
Ongoing Issues from Previous Meetings
Community Car Scheme:
Success! The Community Car Scheme
was launched on the 1 May 2009, and it has already had its first customer. The PC continues to urge parishioners to
volunteer their services either as a driver or deputy coordinator; please
contact the Parish Clerk if you feel you can help.
Community Speedwatch
Scheme: The final training of the team of local
volunteers for this Scheme will now take place in the Village Hall on the 16
June. Given the many concerns that have
recently been expressed about continued speeding of vehicles along the Reepham
and Norwich Roads and the Street, the Police plan to conduct speed checks
within these areas in the near future.
Road Sweeping of
Repairs to the Bus Shelter: The
PC has agreed to accept the lower of two quotes for the re-felting and general
repairs to the bus shelter near the School; this much-needed repair work should
be completed in the near future.
Planning - PA 3PL/2009/0352/F: Property adjacent Bawdeswell Stores,
proposed subdivision of 4 bed dwelling house to 1 x 3-bed dwelling and 1 x
2-bed dwelling. The PC had no objections
to this proposal providing that all previous Highway’s
concerns are met.
Finance - Recycling Credit from Breckland Council:
£398.31 has been received from Breckland Council for the recycling
carried out in Bawdeswell during 2008-2009. As a result of a letter received
requesting a donation to help with a literacy project, the Parish Council
agreed to donate the recycling money to the
Date
of Next Meeting: Monday 1 June 2009 at 7.45pm
VACANCY
FOR VILLAGE HANDYMAN -BAWDESWELL
A part time
Village Handyman is required to undertake various jobs/repairs on behalf of the
Parish Council. If you are interested then
please apply to the Parish Clerk (01362 688415)
Foxley
Parish Council Digest of the Chairman's Report 2009
The early part of the year was dominated by meetings and concerns over the desire of Anglian Water to site the West Foxley Sewerage Scheme pumping station in the village hall car park, on account of the water main running along the preferred site, on the wide verge diagonally opposite. By good fortune, in the course of work, in putting the supply of electricity underground, it was discovered that the main ran through the car park of the village hall and AW's records were in need of amending! All has been on hold ever since while further efforts have been made to get definitive plans from AW. (A update from AW was received during the Annual Parish Meeting held on 14 May. A report on this update will be in the digest of minutes which will be published in the next issue of the Reeves Tale)
Work on the Emergency Plan was virtually complete, when it was decided that our small village resources would mean we are really entirely reliant on the Emergency Services themselves.
The Local Development Framework came in for much discussion and with the planning emphasis being on housing development taking place in towns/larger villages with suitable existing amenities, our Council agreed with Breckland that the 6 sites applied for in Foxley were 'Unreasonable'.
The Boundary
Commission proposals also took much time and councillors attended 3 different meetings
looking into the idea of a Unitary Authority.
It was felt that there were likely to be major adverse effects on grass
root democracy, plus huge costs and the likely dominance of
We had the usual round of Planning Applications and Highway matters, litter, dog and horse fouling, finances, the Bawdeswell Community Car Scheme; enough to make for some busy meetings.
And, at a time when every elected person is under suspicion of “feathering their own nest” at tax-payer expense, may I just say that despite all the phone calls, travelling, postage etc I can confirm none of your councillors claim a single penny!
It is, therefore, with great sincerity that I thank each and every one of them for serving another year and putting in the un-rewarded effort to keep the bottom line of democracy working for Foxley Parish. I would also like to congratulate the clerk on her first year and appreciate her efforts. Thanks also go to Mr G Bambridge our district councillor and Mrs I Floering-Blackman county councillor for all their input over the year.
Lastly, to those parishioners who come from time to time and keep us aware of various problems, thank you too.
J Harvey
A reminder of what has passed….
The other day I was having
dinner (in a pub) with a colleague in Ely. Beside us was an elderly gentleman
on his own, who asked if we minded if he talked to us whilst we were all
eating.
During the next hour and a half, we pieced together (with a little
interpretation) the man's life. It was very difficult to have a two way
conversation with him because he was severely deaf but none the less I would
like to share with you, my impression of his life.
His is 90. His father probably had seen the terrors of
the trenches and he was born as the baby boomer from the First World War, in
Newcastle upon Tyne. In his early years he would have seen the depression of
the 30's and the Jarrow March. His father bullied him to be a Lawyer, although
he wanted to learn the classics and be a writer but was packed off to
Cambridge. The Second World War would have broken his training, as I'm sure he
would have seen horrors of war himself by serving his country. On returning, he
would have had to finish University and return to Newcastle. He married a
musician in his late 40's and they had no children. He then supported his
beloved community of Newcastle as a Lawyer through the good years but also the
catastrophic decline of the Shipbuilding Industry. He has really seen the bad
side of life through others. There was also the winter of discontent in the
70's and he retired, late 70's early 80's. Last year he lost his wife after 44
years of marriage and in the last 20 years, slowly losing all his friends
including people who are looking after him.
The amazing thing for me was that he was in Ely, on holiday, on his own
from Newcastle to go to a concert in the Cathedral as he knew the conductor but
also to visit old haunts of Cambridge. That day, he had also had a boat trip
and visited 2 churches and a museum. Back home he still drives and seems to
still be a member in Newcastle's Writers/Artists Group. He delivers talks on
writers and writes his own poetry.
We discussed, as well as we could, art, history, music, the North East
(where part of my family originates) and unfortunately also death and
loneliness.
There was what I felt, to be an unfortunate reaction to the situation
from the staff of the restaurant. Part way though our meal, they tried to move
us away from him by offering us seats overlooking the river. They obviously
felt that he as annoying us and that they were giving us
an opportunity to remove ourselves from the situation. I do understand that
they were only trying to help us but we declined.
It was a privilege to meet him and I would have loved to be able to have
a proper conversation about his life. He would have seen so many things, good
and bad (he even knew Sir John Barbirolli). Been
through much and still so lucid. We can still learn from this generation, they
have something to give. It is a shame that many of us consider we don't have
the time or patience to spare. I, for
one, am richer from the experience.
Alex K
BENEFICE
NEWS
The Rector has had one or two enquiries and comments about levelling
graves. Please note this does not mean
laying gravestones flat but where graves are levelled, it is removing the mounds
of earth so that graveyards can be easily mown.
Maintaining gravestones remains the responsibility of the family. When gravestones have been moved it is only
after everybody has been told and no individual gravestone will be moved if
somebody disagrees with this.
A reminder about the Benefice walk on 14th June
We will leave
We will then walk (with
permission) through
The
whole route is approximately 9 miles but it will be possible to join in or
leave at any church along the way.
So why not join us? Everyone
welcome.
Offers of help with transport to provide a pick-up service between churches would be appreciated. To register interest or to ask for further information please contact Carole Jackson 01362-637752.
Events for June are as follows:
6th Coffee Morning at Pol-na-Chess,
14th Proposed Benefice Walk – see above
20th Elsing Picnic at Elsing Hall 7pm
21st
28th
28th Guided Country Walk and tea Lyng
FOXLEY, ST.THOMAS’
We held our Annual Meeting in the church on 22nd. April with the Rector in the chair. We went through all the usual formalities, as tradition demands and were all re-elected to our existing offices and agreed to “carry on the good work”. We were heartened to hear in the Rev. Head’s report that at Foxley we are “very stable, settled and friendly”; a gentle but encouraging assessment! The Rector and Churchwardens, John and Tony , also expressed their gratitude to our many helpers, our representatives on Deanery Synod and Benefice Ministry Group, Organist John Fletcher, Groundsman Vic Gathergood, Cleaner Jayne Hough and the Flower Ladies.
Our aims, of course, are to continue in our efforts to renovate our precious old building and to be a home for the infinitely more precious Holy Spirit and Gospel message of Our Lord in our little village.
Now we must get on with fund-raising and have two events planned so far:
Richard and Joan Parfitt are hosting a special coffee morning in their delightful garden at Pol-Na-Chess, Mill Rd. on Saturday, 6th. June, 10-30 –12-30 am.
The Rushbrooks and Harveys are jointly opening their gardens at Glebe House and Foxley Lodge, “The Two Old Rectories” £2.50 children Free 2 - 5.30pm.
|
COFFEE MORNING Saturday
6th June 1030am – 2-30pm Pol-Na-Chess, Mill Road Foxley Stalls and other attractions |
|
OPEN GARDENS at The Old Rectories Foxley Sunday 21st June 2 – 5.30pm £2.50 adults, Children FREE |
THE CHILDREN’S SOCIETY
On 23rd.April, we held a very enjoyable
“Bake & Brew”Coffee Morning to celebrate St.George’s Day and raise £191 – much needed funds for the
Society. In these difficult
times the plight of neglected and abused children and teenagers is likely to
worsen; even good parents may fall short under stress.
Grateful
thanks to all who helped, not least to Peggy and Mary, who arranged the booking
of the hall for us. Moreover, we went away with delicious home-baked cakes,
some donated tinned goods (in-date of course!) and bits & bobs from the
Sales Table and rhubarb, which proved surprisingly popular! Diana Harvey
All Saints Church, Bawdeswell
Good wishes go to the family of Tabitha Lily Gurney who was baptised on 10th May and also to the family of Isabell and Joshua Abel for whom a service of thanksgiving and naming was held later the same day.
We send condolences to the family and friends of Dolly Jarvis who died on 20th April and whose funeral was held in Bawdeswell on 11th May.
At the annual meeting of the Parochial Parish Council the PCC members were re-elected en masse. At the preceding Annual Vestry Meeting, Robin Taylor and William Mason were re-elected as Churchwardens for the coming year.
On the evening of the 17th May the evening service of Songs of Praise was led by Bishop Graham, Bishop of Norwich. This service was the culmination of the three day flower festival and during it the Bishop dedicated the new digital organ.
The PCC would like to thank the Friends of the Church and all others for their hard work in putting together such a wonderful weekend and their support at the dedication service. Many people from far and wide thanked us for a most enjoyable event.
RT
From
the Rector
Dear Everybody, hello again,
We’re gradually getting used to the idea that Norwich Union is Aviva. Their adverts have made reference to people in showbiz who have changed their names. Can changing a name change what people think about you? They want us to know that they are a global brand now; though locally, it’s a pity that Norwich seems to be downgraded.
The author, who in private life was Eleanor Alice Burford Hibbert, is better known to her readers as Jean Plaidy, Victoria Holt, and Philippa Carr. She had these different pen-names, or “brands”, so that her readers would know which of her different types of book to expect.
We’ve done our own bit of “re-branding” in the benefice here, with the “Gig” service for families (more audience participation, and an acronym for “God is Good”), and the “One More Step” service (a service in which adults are expected to think). We’ve given them different names to suggest that they aren’t traditional services.
Most people, though, don’t change their names – often. Many change them on marriage, to say that they are now a slightly different person. Some add a new one at confirmation, others on adoption, or at other times when they want to say where they feel they belong. Occasionally, people change their name because they don’t like what their old one seems to say about them.
Every so often, though, we see in the paper about some criminal who has a string of aliases; people who don’t steal identities, but make them up in order to defraud. In these cases, people change names, not to give you a better clue of who they think they are, but to hide who they are.
If you were going to give your whole life a makeover, what name would you choose for yourself to say who you were now? If you had to choose different names for the different contexts of your life, what would they be? Or do you feel that who you essentially are is one unit?
God bless you. David Head