Our cover this month features the four post offices and shops in our local areas. Clockwise from top left is East Barkwith, Hainton, Faldingworth and Middle Rasen (with Andy & Nick dressed up as Arkwright & Granville from ‘Open All Hours' for Children in Need). Sadly some Post Offices and shops have closed, destroying some of the social fabric of our small village communities, like the picturesque one below at West Rasen, which used to be run by Steve & Anna Hessey. All four Post Offices serve our communities well, but they need customers in order to survive. Lets make sure no more end up closing by using them whenever we can.

Thought for the Month

LEARNING THE HARD, BUT MORE WONDERFUL, WAY

‘Thought for the Month' from Rev'd David Post

Dear fiends I would like to share a lesson or two which I have learned in the past few weeks.

When I first shared my plans to do a sponsored bike ride from Middle Rasen to Land's End then up to John O'Groats and back to Middle Rasen, an estimated 2060 miles in aid of St George's Church in Baghdad, several people told me I was mad. Well I have to confess that more than a few times on the way I began to think they were right. But I was sure I had prepared well, having cycled over 1400 miles in training for the ride, two weeks before the start I felt in peak fitness. But then I did some over energetic gardening and strained my right shoulder and pulled a muscle in my groin. Fortunately these didn't appear to affect the cycling, but from the first night of the journey, the moment I lay down in bed, these two muscles played up denying me decent sleep. As the days passed other muscles and joints which were beginning to ache conspired with them and despite taking paracetamol, I was only managing about two hours sleep per night. “Why is this happening to me, Lord?” I asked. But no answer came.

Then there was the incessant head wind coming at me day after day holding me back and getting stronger as I grew more tired. I even had to pedal down hill some days which was demoralising. And when at last after reaching John O'Groats I began to head south guess what the wind also changed direction. “Lord, this isn't fair. Why can't I have a few days of favourable wind?” But again no answer.

Worse still was when I found that the Cromarty to Nigg ferry was non existent, and there was no boatmen around to ask if they could take me across. I had to cycle another unplanned thirty two miles around the headland. “Lord, this is just cruel,” I complained.

Yet the Lord had been sending me ‘angels' from time to time to guide me, such as the athletic young couple in Cornwall who saw me looking lost and told me of a short cut avoiding a steep climb (and who also gave me a £20 donation for St Georges), or the ‘angel' with the four young children who told me of a secret tunnel under the Caledonian canal which saved me turning back three miles when the track petered out. Then there was my other ‘angel' my daughter Helen, who before she had gone to France had sent on ahead little messages of encouragement for me to pick up at the various stops I had planned to make once I reached there. These were real blessings. But I was still looking for answers to the headwinds, the aches and pains and sleepless nights and then the final ‘seizing-up' at Inverness.

The answer came unexpectedly two days after my return home. Canon Andrew White, the vicar of St George's Baghdad, rang me up from Iraq thanking me profusely for what I had been doing to raise funds for them. He told me they had been following my progress on the map each day and praying for me and now they wanted to sing a song for me. I listened as the children sang in Arabic, a lovely song which Andrew said was a song of thanksgiving to God for me and their gratitude for what I had been doing for them. When he rang off I was in floods of tears (and still am as I write this). I thought of all the constant pain and heartache that those dear Christian friends must be suffering. What are my little aches and pains and weariness with battling against headwinds compared with all that? In that moment I knew the answer to my questions. If I had experienced favourable winds helping me along each day and a good sleep restoring me each night and had thus managed to complete the entire 2060 miles, I might have been tempted to boast about ‘my' achievement. But as it turned out, the Lord had been allowing me to experience in a small measure “the fellowship of sufferings” with those I was seeking to benefit through this ride.

My prayer is now, “Thank you, Lord”. David

Read the account of my travels <<<<<<Here>>>>>

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SAY IT WITH FLOWERS

The meaning of flowers is as old as civilisation itself, and have been used as an expression of emotion for centuries. Each flower has a meaning, and the Victorians who loved flowers, produced several dictionaries of the language of flowers. The language of flowers started in the harems of the Middle East where because secrecy between lovers was essential, discrete messages were exchanged through flowers. The hanging gardens of Babylon were famous in the ancient world, heroes in Roman times were honoured with laurel wreaths and the ancient Greeks also decorated their palaces with flowers. During feasts and festivals bouquets were often carried and these old traditions are still observed today. Flowers are sent as token of celebration and congratulations on occasions such as the birth of a baby, wedding anniversaries, birthdays, Valentines day and at Christmas we decorate our homes with flowers and evergreen foliage. As part of our wedding traditions churches are often decorated with particular flowers bride and bridesmaids carry bouquets or posses, whilst the men wear a flower in their buttonholes. At the end of our lives wreaths and flowers decorate coffins and are sent in memory by family and friends to honour the dead. Makeshift shrines of flowers now often mark the sight of a fatal accident or outside schools and houses where people have died in tragic or violent circumstances. Churchyards and cemeteries, the places of our loved ones burials or scattering of ashes, are now being marked in more elaborate ways.

Julia with the Easter Bunny St Paul's in Spalding Middle Rasen window

Flowers play an important part of decoration in our churches week by week and especially at the annual celebrations of Harvest, Christmas and Easter. At the end of April the flower festivals of Spalding and the surrounding churches of the Lincolnshire Fens are well worth a visit. At other times the absence of flowers in church plays a part in highlighting the mood of a particular day or season such as Good Friday, Lent and Advent. Sometimes people ask for special flowers to mark the occasion of remembering a loved one. If you would like to have the opportunity of providing flowers for church or would like to help decorate the church with flowers at the special Christian festivals like Easter please contact the church wardens of your local church. If you would like to help decorate West Rasen or Middle Rasen Parish Churches please contact Val Wright (01673 843661).

CONFIRMING FAITH AT MIDDLE RASEN

On 16 th May the Bishop of Grimsby is coming to Middle Rasen to confirm people in the Christian faith. Although many people in this country have been ‘baptised' or ‘christened' (they mean the same thing) as babies or young children, a good number have never taken the step of ‘confirming' the decision their parents made for them to become a Christian, once they have reached adulthood. As a result they may feel unsure of their spirituality and religious beliefs and lack the inner confidence to take the sacred elements of bread and wine during a service of Holy Communion when they occasionally visit a church. Some may also feel that they aren't quite ‘proper' or ‘full' Christians because they haven't been ‘confirmed'. Baptism, of course is the universally, and historically recognised initiation rite, in most churches, for anyone wanting to become a Christian. What the additional rite of ‘confirmation' does, is to help build up a persons confidence in their own faith and identity as a Christian. For as well as owning the decision their parents made for them at baptism, the bishop confirms them as Christians by confirming Christ's love for them through the laying on of hands and the anointing with oil. It is of course not something to be entered into lightly, but after thought, prayer and a period of study. A recent national poll suggested that although over 70% of the people in this country consider themselves Christian over half remain ‘fuzzy' about their Christian beliefs. Confirmation provides the opportunity to become clearer about what you believe through a short course of study and discussion with the chance to ask questions about the Christian faith beforehand.

So if you have been baptised, but have never been confirmed as a Christian in the Church of England, but would like to be, or would simply like to know more, please contact Rev'd Charles Patrick (842249) or Rev'd Chris Harrington (844657).

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Topics and articles from earlier issues

MIDDLE RASEN TO INVERNESS

(VIA LANDS END & JOHN O'GROATS)

Well it's all over now and certainly proved tougher than I had imagined it would be. It was the toughest assignment I have taken on in my whole life. But I am glad I did it and have learnt a lot through it. I had planned the journey so that I could stay most nights with friends or relatives, and those visits proved to be the highlight of my trip. I set off on Monday 31 st May from Middle Rasen. The first week was comparatively easy, with a gentle northerly breeze behind me hurrying me on my way. But the endless hills of the Cotswolds and Devon and Cornwall soon presented daily challenges. I reached Land's End on Sunday 6 th June, somewhat disappointed at the present commercialisation of its environment.

Then I started the main section of the ride, Land's End to John O'Groats. The next day was the only continuously rainy day of the whole route, though mercifully the wind was behind me. That evening I arrived at my friends house near Bude soaked to the skin and shivering. I was so thankful that I was not having to pitch a tent. I decided from then on not to camp in Scotland when I ran out of friends but to B&B. I started trying to follow ‘the tour book' but soon found myself getting lost in the country lanes. I reverted to following A & B roads which enabled me to get on quicker, though I could still enjoy the varying countryside. But then once I reached South Wales I began battling against a head wind which lasted nearly all the way to John O'Groats, sometimes it was fairly gentle, other days much stronger, especially the further north I got. That was wearing, and as aches and pains were not allowing me to get much sleep, tiredness was relentlessly building up. One particularly depressing day was after I had cycled 95 and 88 miles the previous two days and was looking forward to an easier day of 45 to 50 miles from Rosemarkie to Helmsdale via the Cromarty – Nigg ferry, only to discover that the ‘new' ferry had not yet been delivered. There was therefore no option but to go back all the way round the Cromarty Firth – an extra 32 miles. But in spite of that I did manage to reach John O'Groats the next evening – 21 st June. I had succeeded in doing the great ‘end-to-end' ride.

But as I turned back to B&B at Wick, I realised that the wind had also changed direction and I was going to have to fight it again all the way home! So after a night at Wick, I set off on the homeward journey, but on the second day, with the wind growing stronger by the hour, on reaching Inverness, I finally ‘seized up' and knew I could go no further. My friends Allan and Jan from Nethybridge came and rescued me. When I saw the doctor the next morning, he told me, “You have been pushing yourself way beyond the limits. You must stop now. No more cycling for at least two weeks”. I knew he was right! So I rested with my caring friends for six days before returning home by train. I had completed 1619 miles, without a proper rest day. That was my big mistake. So now three weeks later at the time of writing I am still painfully aching.

I would like to thank you all sincerely for your wonderful support, concern and prayers, which kept me going for so long. I would also like to thank you and friends from all over the country for your amazing generosity in sponsoring me for the people of St George's Church, Baghdad. I don't have final total yet but adding together donations that have come to me personally and through the ‘justgiving' website, and amounts which I know are on the way, the total is already over £5,000. Marvellous. Thank you so much.

1619 miles collecting for St Georges Baghdad

ART FOR IRAQ

Over the weekend 7 th & 8 th November, Middle Rasen Parish Church held an art exhibition to help a church in Iraq . The churches have a connection in that both their vicars, Rev'd Charles Patrick (St Peter & St Paul, Middle Rasen) and Rev'd Canon Andrew White (St George's, Baghdad) trained at theological college together. St George's Baghdad has recently suffered the effects of two huge bomb blasts from suicide bombers, killing at least 155 passers-by and injuring hundreds more. Virtually every member of the Baghdad congregation, which numbers around 3000, has lost family members during the conflict there. The church provides medical assistance, schooling and many other forms of practical help to those in desperate need regardless of creed or colour. The two explosions also inflicted serious damage to the schoolrooms and church, blowing out doors and window frames, and destroying expensive medical equipment in the clinic. As a representative from St George's was due to speak at the Sunday service at Middle Rasen parish church at the end of November the congregation wanted to be able to pass on a gift for those in Baghdad . So it was decided to hold an exhibition of paintings and photographs by local artists in the church hall to raise the money. The local Middle Rasen primary school also got involved and held an art competition called ABC – Art for a Baghdad Church , in which the children were given the challenge of designing stained windows. All the children took part and their work was on display in the exhibition over the weekend. Afterwards they presented their work to Peter Marsden, the rep from St George's when he visited the church.

Some of the art from Middle Rasen School + Pia with her favourite picture (by Lizzie)

Rev'd David Post sold ‘prints while you wait' of his photos from Antarctica whilst explaining about St Georges to visitors. Several local artists generously donated pictures, which were auctioned off during the weekend, helping to raise over £550 for St George's , including Lizzie Thody who donated six. Chris Wilson from East Barkwith kindly supplied all the easels, and members of the ‘Ronnie Morten Art Group', which meet at the church hall every Monday evening, provided many of the pictures. Many thanks to them, and to all who supplied pictures, cakes, and those who kept the kettle on for the many who came to enjoy this excellent exhibition in aid of a worthy cause.

LizzieThody with two of her pictures, ‘The Blitz' by Lizzie, James Parry's striking picture

BEER, LACE & CHOCOLATE

Back in September seven members of Middle Rasen Parish Church journeyed to Belgium to meet the people of St Martinus RC Church, Koekelare on a possible twinning visit. (Click Links)

Koekelare (cook-a-lar-A) is about 15 miles from Bruges the beautiful capital of the West Flanders province of Belgium . Father Charles Lommens, the RC priest there, had visited us back in January with the view to forming a link between the churches as part of an on going relationship between the Roman Catholic Diocese of Nottingham & Bruges, and the Anglican Diocese of Lincoln.

Driving down on Friday afternoon, Rev'd Charles, Linda, Clare, Margaret, Joyce, Gordon and Elaine, caught the 6pm boat from Dover to Dunkerque. Arriving at St Martinus, Koekelare the next morning, first impressions were that both town and church were a lot bigger than Middle Rasen and St Peter & St Paul 's. Father Charles introduced our respective hosts, who gave us a very warm welcome and provided generously for us all weekend. After breakfast and a tour of the Church, it was off to explore the wonderful romantic city of Bruges . With its fantastic buildings, streets of Flemish styled shops and houses, many quite grand churches, with galloping horse drawn carriages and the sound of bicycles and hooves on cobbled streets. The variety of language from her foreign visitors and the swish of boats using the canal set the scene for the visit and the weather was perfect all weekend.

On Saturday evening after Rev'd Charles had preached at a local RC church in nearby De Mokker, we left to catch last post at the Menin Gate; a truly moving and sobering experience. We joined visitors from across the commonwealth, many laying wreaths against the thousands of names of the missing and fallen. Looking around the lovely square in Ypres with its historic Linen Hall, it is virtually impossible to believe that the area has all been rebuilt since 1919 as WW1 had completely reduced to it rubble.

On Sunday morning we joined around 250 people for a communion service in Flemish (except for Rev'd Charles' sermon), where we were introduced and received a very friendly reception from the congregation. After lunch, a visit to the war cemetery at Tyne Cot (Passchendaele) the largest Commonwealth war grave in Europe . Walking and looking at the graves of so many young men, some with no identity except that of their regiment, it brought home the hopelessness of war. Then, sadly, it was goodbye to our new found friends whose welcome, warmth and good humour will stay with us. A link between our churches had definitely been formed and we look forward to returning their generous hospitality sometime next year. Oh, and by the way, did we mention the beer, the lace and the chocolate!

In 1878 the former middle tower of St Martinuskerk was dismantled and replaced by a neogothic tower and spire. Other parts of the old church dated 1790-1791, were demolished in 1910. Unfortunately when the Church was reconstructed, the new build was in conflict with the church's original 18th century furniture. So, because of the prevailing values of the day, it was only with great difficulty that much of the older traditional fitments could be saved and re-used in the new structure.

What you see today from the outside is an impressive modern building built in brick but in a classic style. Inside it enjoys modern tastes but housed sypathetically with original artifacts and furniture in a large vaulted structure which accommodates the congregation in a functional but warm environment.

August's front cover featured The Bishop of Lincoln, the Rt Revd Dr John Saxbee, with Rev'd Chris & Julia Harrington on the steps of Lincoln Cathedral after Chris's ordination as an Anglican priest on 5 th July.

Rev'd Charles & Chris & The bell ringers who welcomed Chris back to Middle Rasen with a forty minute peal of bells .

The Middle Rasen Church youth group, the ‘Posse', led by Michael & Helen Robinson have recently secured a grant from the Archbishops council enabling them to buy some sports equipment plus a projector and screen and the new Wii games software. Last month the Posse were ‘On Tour' at East Barkwith Village Hall and had great fun playing bowls, baseball and tennis on the big screen. This month they begin another new venture called ‘Posse Deeper' which enables those who want to, to explore their faith in a deeper way. Unlike usual Posse sessions, which are based around fun and games, ‘Posse Deeper' involves digging deeper into the Bible with questions, discussion and music. It starts this month on 5 th April at 6pm in Middle Rasen Church Hall.

On Easter Sunday 12 th April, in usual Posse style there will be an ‘Egg Chucking' contest at Claxby Hill between 3 and 5am. So come with family and friends and your hard boiled eggs to Claxby Hill and play park for an afternoon of fun and stuff.

Les and Angela Mayne from LANDA Video Services continue their filming of ‘A Year in the Life of Middle Rasen' and will be recording the Community Carol Service at the parish church on 20 th December and the Nativity service on Christmas Eve for posterity. If you are looking for presents this Christmas why not buy the DVD of the 50's & 60's talent concert that was held in the parish church back in May of this year. Copies are still available at the Crossroads Post Office, priced £10, with half the proceeds going to the Parish Church . It is another historical record of village life as it was in 2009 and something perhaps worth holding on to.

The DVD of the 50' and 60's concert held at the Parish Church back in May and featuring our own local talent has just gone on sale. Les and Angela Mayne from Landavideoservices have produced the DVD, which costs just £10 and are now available at the Post Office/Crossroads Stores. Half the proceeds from each copy will be donated to the church funds. Les and Angela who you may have seen filming events in the village for a ‘Year in the life of Middle Rasen' DVD to be released next year said, “Origiallyn we were planning to include a few clips from the concert in the village life DVD but we had so much excellent material from the concert that we felt it would be a shame to waste it”. So if you want to re-live the excitement of watching your loved ones perform in public – some for the first time – or would like to share the joy with other family members around the country, nip round to Crossroads and get a copy before they all go!

Retired and full of Vitality?

A new keep fit class aimed at the over 60's begins on 2 nd March at Braemar Close Community centre in Middle Rasen. It is joint venture between Acis & the Vitality Project. The new classes will focus on gentle exercise set to music and will be held every Monday from 10.30 to 11.30am. The cost is £1.50 per session (£1.20 for sheltered housing residents) including tea & coffee. For more details contact Louise Thompson (01529 411194) louise.thompson@leisureconnection.co.uk

Local Memories

As recalled by Jessie Hather

Early School Days

The school I attended was opened in 1873. My father was one of the first pupils. I stayed at the same school until I left in 1927 aged 14. As it was a Church of England school the day always started with a hymn and a prayer. The catechism had to be gone through every morning. Sometimes the Rector would be there to take charge. We had a really good grounding in religious knowledge and periodically had a Scripture exam from the Rural Dean. He was a really nice old man and well liked by everyone. We had a particularly good infant teacher who was very strict, but kind. She stayed with us for many years, unlike the head teachers. Having so many head teachers was to me an advantage rather than a drawback as they all had a different approach to subjects and different ideas. One eccentric headmistress introduced us to algebra, geometry and physiology but unfortunately had no idea of discipline, so occasionally the school was in chaos. During these disturbances, the good lady would kneel down and pray for us all, or alternatively, call upon the devil to take us. Sorry to say she had to go after only a few months, not surprisingly suffering a nervous breakdown. She was followed by two very strict headmasters who brought us into line again.

The school buildings comprised two rooms. The ‘Big Room' and the ‘Infant Room', with adjoining cloak rooms. The toilets were very primitive, with no hand washing facilities. The Infant Room was really cold unless you were lucky to sit by the fire. I think we all suffered from chilblains. Many children had a long way to come to school across muddy fields. Some were from very poor families and had no protective clothing. It was a long day for them and there were no hot dinners then. They could have hot drink if they brought some cocoa. No milk was provided. I with my brothers and sisters used to run the half mile home for dinner, and run back as we only had one hour. I do remember getting the cane for being late. I also had the cane for making inkblots on my writing and arithmetic books. This was when I had to use pen and ink. Prior to this I had written on a slate. Reading , learning poetry and writing compositions were my favourite subjects. One essay for which I gained first prize was about the British Empire . That was something we were all familiar with as there was a huge map of the world on one wall – much of it coloured pink. Much has changed since then, and sorry to say, my old school is no longer used as a school.

For those interested in history there are still some copies of ‘A Village School' by A.E. Dennis detailing the early history of Middle Rasen School and are quite funny with comments from the old school log books. They are available free from Middle Rasen School , though a small donation would be appreciated.

The year was 1920, and I had already been attending Spridlington Methodist Sunday School since the age of three. Life was getting back to normal after the First World War and an enterprising and mechanically minded family had acquired an omnibus, which had been used in the war effort. Someone had the great idea of hiring this vehicle and organising a day trip to Cleethorpes. What excitement. Cleethorpes to us then seemed like a far country. To go over the other side of the Wolds was as great adventure as going to the moon. I always imagined wild and uncivilised creatures living on the Wolds .

The great day arrived. It was a lovely sunny morning. We all assembled in the village about halfway between the chapel and the church. An enormous hamper was loaded onto the back of the bus. It was full of sandwiches. I don't know anything about drinks, but there wouldn't have been any crates of ale! How many adults accompanied us I can't recall, but I know my parents came and two of my older sisters. I remember most vividly arriving at Caistor and having to dismount so that the bus could negotiate the hills. I was sure we would be left behind in what seemed like a foreign land. The same thing happened on the way home at night. I was even more worried then, and I think my mother was a bit apprehensive too.

We duly arrived at Cleethorpes and saw the sea for the first time. I don't think my mother had been to the seaside before, but my father had been to Scarborough by train. We enjoyed paddling and running about on the sands. We had rides on the roundabouts and swings. My memories of a ride on the helter-skelter are amusing to look back on, but not at the time. I had a penny clutched in my little hand to pay for the ride, but was too small to reach the kiosk so never paid. I must have slipped past unnoticed. I finished up at the bottom still clutching my penny but had lost the mat I was supposed to slide down on. I may have suffered somewhat, but all I could think of was the penny I owed. One of my sisters was paddling under the pier and lost her purse containing nine pence, quite a considerable sum at the time. I wondered who found it. We arrived home very weary.

We had other Sunday School outings which were enjoyable but never as adventurous. The weather always seemed kind to us.

A regular place for an outing was Hackthorn Park by kind permission of the Squire, Mr E.W. Cracroft. Local farmers loaned pony traps to take us there. We joined up with children from Hackthorn Methodist Chapel and played cricket and rounders, followed by a picnic in the idyllic surroundings. Another outing I remember, although it was nothing spectacular, was a visit to Normanby by Spital. A family had recently moved there from Spridlington. It ws nothing new for the majority of us to play in a farmyard, but we enjoyed the ride and change of scenery. Swings had been fitted up in a safe place and a good tea was provided. It was here that I first heard a gramophone playing, it seemed like utter magic. It didn't play the usual flat records but cylindrical shaped objects.

Is it just me, but driving around the area I often see ivy laden trees which look very much like figures of men and women and animals, especially in the winter when the trees are bear. In ages past such figures may have taken on sacred significance and hence folk traditions like The Green Man evolved. When Christianity eventually reached these shores, in order to get people involved with the Church, carvings of The Green Man were put in obscure places within church buildings. This was to encourage people that their beliefs could exist side by side with Christianity. Which is perhaps why there are over thirty carvings of the Green Man in Lincoln Cathedral and there are very few old churches without at least one. The Green Men are mostly faces with foliage springing up from ears eyes and mouth. A sign of renewal of life coming out of death, which links in with the Christian message of Christ's resurrection after his death on the cross.

A Village Doggerel (villages on the roads parallel with A15) Quoted by Liz Margrave

Liz tells us, “My husband used to repeat it years ago but after a while I could only remember a few odd lines. I mentioned it to Jessie Hather, who of course remembered it well. I would be interested to find out if anyone knows the origin of this poem, who the author was, and whether there are any other lines which even Jessie might not have known”. So if you can help please do contact Liz Margrave (844047) she would be interested to hear.

Community Spirit

The Community Magazine for the Middle Rasen Group of Parishes

Issue 22 August 2010

Rev. David Post's Journey

BOOK GROUP'S SUMMER READ

BOOK GROUP

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