2023 - Archived
January '23
BERWICK ST JAMES
Happy New Year to you all.
ROYAL BRITISH LEGION POPPY APPEAL.
The Village Total £355.72p. Thanks to all concerned.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – JANUARY.
Saturday 7th January. Meeting about Community garden
Sunday 8th January. Berwick Farm Shop Hog Roast
Monday 9th January. Village Meeting.
Wednesday 11th January. Tea and Cake and Chat
Sunday 15th January. Plough Sunday
Wednesday 25th January. Book Club meeting
Sunday 31st January. Benefice Service.
CHURCH NEWS
At the time of writing, the Candlelit Carol Service and Christmas Service had not yet been held, so I am unable to report on them. Thank you to everyone who helped at the Church Clean – it looks wonderful.
There is NO service on Sunday 1st January, but we have to services in January. On Sunday 15th January at 10.00am we have Plough Sunday (thank you Charles, in advance for the plough). This is a short family service to celebrate farming and the work of farmers. All are welcome.
On Sunday 31st January at 10.30am we welcome the whole Benefice, comprising nine churches, for a Holy Communion Service.
BERWICK FARM SHOP
CHRISTMAS OPENING. The Shop will be open on Friday 23rd December 9am to 5pm, and on Saturday 24th (Christmas Eve) from 9am to 2pm. I will then be open on Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th December 9am to 2pm. Re-opening after the New Year on Tuesday 3rd January as usual.
HOG ROAST. We will be holding a Lunchtime Hog Roast on Sunday 8th January as a thank you to all our customers and to say goodbye, and introduce the new lady who will be running the shop.
No presents please – just your presence.
MACMILLAN TOMBOLA. At the hog roast there will be a Tombola to raise funds for MacMillan. Any donations for the Tombola would be most welcome, and can be left at the Shop (or left at The Dairy House by the eggs).
BERWICK BOOK CLUB
Following a fabulous meeting whereby the deliberation captivated us so much – that we continued for almost 3 hours –as we reviewed a non-fiction masterpiece “Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know about the People We Don’t Know” by Malcolm Gladwell – a book which raised so many discussion points as it took us on an intellectual adventure, into the darker side of human nature. In the spirit of the festive season, we are now lightening the mood and are happily reading the wonderful classic “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens – Synopsis: This is a story about a selfish and greedy old man, Ebenezer Scrooge, who hates everything related to Christmas. After the visit of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come, Scrooge is changed into a gentler and kinder man. A truly magical story and we look forward to discussing the genius of Dickens, when we next meet on Wednesday 25th January 2023. As we are also currently selecting our next list of books – now would be a good time to make contact is you would lie to join our engaging and lively group. If you are interested and would like to partake in our next meeting, please email [email protected] for further details.
CHRISTMAS COFFEE MORNING in THE READING ROOM
We had a wonderful time at the Reading Room on Saturday December 3rd, with the new style Tombola a great success! It was lovely to have so many villagers (and some from further afield) chatting and buying and eating and drinking. We are delighted to say that we raised £456 due to the hard work of all the committee and the generosity of all in the village. The few things left over were taken to the Julia’s House Charity Shop. Thank you to everyone!
TEA AND CAKE AND CHAT
Wednesday January 11th 2.30 – 4.30pm in The Reading Room. We think we’ll continue on the first Wednesday of each month. And welcome everyone including children, for free Tea and Cake. We would be delighted to have donations of cakes to share.
Is this a good time to meet up? Would you prefer a different day of the week or time. At the moment the evenings are still dark so that is why we finish at 4.30pm. Would 3pm be a better start time
VILLAGE NEWS.
MEETING IN ST JAMES CHURCH to discuss idea to create a memorial or community garden by the river on Saturday 7th January at 2pm. This has been discussed at the last couple of village meetings. The meeting is open to everybody. We will look at a couple of ideas and will explore how the work can be done. Anybody who is interested in any way, in the design of the project, or by being part of a work party is most welcome. If you are unable to come to the meeting but would like to be involved or have any comments or suggestions, please send these through to Christian. [email protected]
VILLAGE MEETING.
Monday 9th January at 7.00pm – Reading Room. The minutes of the last meeting can be seen on the village website. We have yet to finalise the agenda for the meeting but we will be setting the village precept for 2023/24. The agenda will be sent out in due course.
RAINFALL IN NOVEMBER and recent Weather.
At last some rain! The rivers are filling up, and the springs beginning to return. We had 132mm with a maximum on 18.9mm on one day (15th November). This is the most in the last 11 years and nearly twice the average of those 11 years which is 77.92mm.
The lowest temperature in December (so far!) was on 15th reading -9.1 in a garden at Berwick.
Nicky Street.
WILDLIFE WATCH
A Red Admiral Butterfly in Berwick on 22nd November. In mid December at Asserton, a Thrush.
In this cold weather many birds are dependent on our bird tables – don’t forget the water too.
This entry for the Benefice Magazine was gathered (and part of it written) by Nicky Street
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February '23
BERWICK ST JAMES
GOODBYE, GOOD LUCK and THANK YOU to Marilyn, Vikki and all at Berwick Farm Shop. We will all miss you. Welcome to Sam, we look forward to having you in the village and are delighted that you are taking over The Farm Shop.
BERWICK FARM SHOP
Firstly we would like to thank everyone who turned out on the 8th Jan to help eat the Hog Roast.
We have made many friends here but we feel it is time to change. (and you won’t have to hear Vikki’s singing any more). Just a big thank you to all of our Customers. Marilyn will still be around with Steak Pies etc.
We will close the shop on the 28th Jan, and Sam takes over from 1st Feb.
Many thanks, Marilyn and Vikki Wood.
CHURCH NEWS
Many thanks to all those who helped make the Christmas services such a success. Special thanks, as ever, to Stephen Bush for organising the wonderful carol Service so superbly. The church looked lovely and the church was full, despite the excitement of the World Cup Final being played with extra time. Thank you very much to Charles and David Street who supplied the tractor and plough for the Plough Sunday service, we look forward to planting the flower seeds.
Very special thanks also go to Janey Campbell-Johnston who has organized the flower team at Berwick St James for the last 15 years. Janey has worked tirelessly to ensure the church has always looked its best, especially for the special services, but she has often been seen “popping in” to the church to check on the flowers. We owe Janey and all those who have helped arrange the flowers a huge debt of thanks. Janey has decided to step down from the role and we are delighted that Lizzie Barnes has agreed to take it on. Thank you. In February the usual rota of services is being held with Holy Communion on 5th February and Matins on Sunday 19th.
CHURCH FLOWERS
Many thanks to all those who have helped with Church flowers over the past year.
I have sent out the 2023 flower rota but please note that should you have any problems please contact Lizzie who has kindly agreed to take over the role.
BERWICK BOOK CLUB
To kick off the New Year - we are changing venue and holding our next meeting in “The Boot Inn” on Wednesday 25th January at 6pm. A great opportunity to pop along and join us all in a relaxed environment, where we will also be announcing our new reading list for the year. Plenty of time to be part of the voting system m should you wish to join our merry band of eleven members. We will also be reviewing the wonderful classic “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens. A truly magical story and one we look forward to discussing, whilst appreciating the genius of Dickens. If you are interested and would like to partake in our next meeting, please just join us at The Boot or email [email protected],uk or contact Hayley on 07774 926567, for further details.
ART APPRECIATION in Berwick-St-James
Commencing with “Coming out of the Shadows”, on Thursday 26th January, this first of three meetings will focus on the part played by women in the History of Western European Art. Two further meetings are planned on Thursdays 23rd February and 23rd March, topics yet to be finalised.
Meetings take place in the Berwick-St-James Reading Room (opposite the Boot Inn) commencing 7pm with doors open 6.45pm. Entry on the evening is £5/Head to include a glass of wine, with all proceeds donated to the Reading Room Fund. For further information see the Berwick-St-James village website, contact Brian Armstrong on Tel: 01722 790647, or email: [email protected]
TEA and CAKE and CHAT
The next one will be on Wednesday 8th February 2.30pm – 4.30pm in the Reading Room. We had a grand turnout of brave villagers at the Tea and Cake and Chat in January, with the terrible weather beating down on the new thatch. Thank you to all who brought the lovely cakes – the best carrot cake ever, lovely sticky lemon drizzle, tasty macaroons, choccy biscuits …… Looking forward to seeing you next time.
BERWICK ST JAMES CHURCH GARDEN CLEAR OUT
We are looking for volunteers to come join us on Saturday, February 11th and/or Saturday February 18th from 10am to clear out the back of the church garden. Any time of yours that you can volunteer and bring your garden tools would be highly appreciated. We will set up a break station in the church with teas and coffees. A small selection of refreshments will be provided, but please feel free to bring your own as well. If you wish to discuss any further details or volunteer please reach out to Gabriele Francis on 926567, or alternatively via the village Facebook group, or WhatsApp.
PLANT, PRODUCE and FLOWER TABLE supporting C.R.UK.
Hello villagers and neighbouring villages.
I am more than happy to tell you that together we raised an amazing £640 for our efforts last season.. we now deal direct with C.R.UK Salisbury fundraising and its making life a bit easier in getting funds to them and getting our certificates of appreciation. There are far too many of you for me to thank individually but would like to take this opportunity to thank Marie Perry who unwittingly has become my secretary .. I just grow stuff lol .. and very importantly to welcome George Ridley who has agreed to come on board as my chief young grower and assistant he will have many responsibilities including teaching me how to do it and I can’t wait.
I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart this year is going to be a great one .. happy growing X
Yours Aye Christine.
CORONATION PARTY
The details have been finalized. It is on 6th May – save the date. It will start at 4pm, in the Boot Inn Garden, bring your own picnic, there will be a BBQ too. More details later.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – JANUARY
Wednesday 25th January. Book Club.
Thursday 26th January. Art Appreciation
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – FEBRUARY
Wednesday 8th February. Tea and Cake and Chat Reading Room
Saturday 11th February. Church garden clear out.
Saturday 18th February. Church garden clear out.
Thursday 23rd February. Art Appreciation
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – MARCH and beyond.
Thursday 23rd March. Art Appreciation
Saturday 6th May. Coronation Party.
THE BERWICK PART OF THIS MAGAZINE.-ENTRIES
Please send to me, Nicky Street The Dairy House 790309, or e-mail [email protected] by 14th of the month before the magazine is due out, indicating it is a magazine entry. Or, if you prefer, directly to Steve, the editor (see elsewhere in the magazine).
WILDLIFE WATCH
A fantastic and most welcome sighting of a big dog otter down Asserton Lane in Berwick, coming out of the wet wood, in early January.
We seem to be rather low on Nuthatchs and Greenfinches on local bird tables – has anyone seen them recently?
This entry for the Benefice Magazine was gathered (and part of it written) by Nicky Street
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March '23
BERWICK ST JAMES
BOB DRAKE. We are all so sad that Bob passed away on 25th January. He will be greatly missed by his family and all his many friends, he helped everyone and the village is a lesser place without him. Our thoughts are with his family. The funeral service will be at Salisbury Crematorium on Tuesday 28th February at 10am.
MARILYN and VIKKI would like to thank everyone for their good wishes.
Hog Roast. Macmillan raised a fabulous £703.26. Thank you so much – Berwick doesn’t mind the rain! We need to thank Nicky for her hard work on the tombola.
I would really like to thank Katie and Paula Rapley for the flowers through the summer which raised £223.50 for Cancer Research. We wish all the best to all our friends and customers of the last 15 years. Take care.
We wish Sam all the best at the shop. From Marilyn and Vikki.
Thank you to Marilyn and Vikki for the wonderful Hog Roast – over 120 people had a great time! The whole village wishes good luck and goodbye to Marilyn and Vikki.
CHURCH NEWS
Church Services in March.
We are scheduled to have a Holy Communion service at 9.30am on Sunday 5th March and a Matins service at 10.00am on Sunday 19th March, which is Mothering Sunday, so it would be lovely to see lots of mothers, grandmothers and children there.
Advance notice: we are hosting the Benefice for the Palm Sunday service at 10.30 on Sunday 2nd April. Given suitable weather conditions, the able-bodied will process from the Farm shop to the church led y two donkeys. We are very grateful to Dr Richard Green of Stapleford for making them available.
Lent Lunch
We are planning a Lent lunch in the Reading Room on Monday 20th March between midday and 2.00pm. Attendance last year was a little disappointing so we very much hope to see many faces from Berwick and the surrounding villages. Everyone is most welcome. Delicious soups, bread and cheese and fruit will be provided. There is no charge but there will be a bowl for any donations, which are to be split between the Naomi House Hospice for children at Sutton Scotney and the Salisbury Hospice. Your support would be most gratefully received.
Churchyard Project
The first of the working parties made grand progress on the 11th February in the graveyard uncovering several tombs, including several box tombs, which had been covered by moss and brambles. The majority of the work is in preparation for the National Burial Ground Survey Project which is to be conducted later this year. We have also cleared an area of scrub to re-establish access to the river from the churchyard. Many thanks to all who gave their time so willingly.
THE OLD FORGE FARM SHOP AND CAFÉ
The Farm Shop at Berwick St James is now under new management following Marilyn’s retirement. Sam and her team look forward to welcoming you to The Old Forge Farm Shop and Café after its make over. As well as the usual products, dairy, meat, fruit and vegetables, jams, chutneys and local products etc. There will be a refill station with variety of loose dried goods and also household cleaning products.
There is also a small café offering refreshments, homemade goodies, breakfast and light lunches.
Follow us on Facebook for all updates. The Old Forge Farm Shop and Café.
See you soon – Sam and our team.
TEA and CAKE and CHAT
The next one will be on Wednesday 8th March 2.30pm – 4pm in the Reading Room. Lots of villagers came to chat and drink tea and eat cake. Thank you to all who brought the delicious cakes – the meringues, chocolate and sultana cakes and lots more. It was lovely to see Marilyn too. Looking forward to seeing you next time – more lovely cakes always welcome!
PLANT PRODUCE and FLOWER TABLE supporting C.R.UK.
Hello villagers and neighbouring villages
I hope you have been sensible gardeners and held off sowing seeds too early .. I do it every year as I get so impatient to get growing and end up with plants in and out like a yoyo, will I ever learn.. noooo.. I am so looking forward to our table being and running and that’s where you come in. Enjoy your gardening however you it .. have fun and tranquillity in your special space and plant a few extra seeds for our table. Together we can… Yours Aye Christine.
BERWICK BOOK CLUB
True to our group democracy, we have now voted on and selected our next 11 books… which will be keeping us engaged and entertained to the end of the year! A truly diverse and fascinating selection of reading material, including both fact and fiction – which will happily test our grey cells and guarantee ever more, stimulating discussions. Our choice for February is ”Foster” by Claire Keegan. Synopsis: It is a hot summer in rural Ireland. A child is taken by her father to live with relatives on a farm, not knowing when if she will be brought home again. In the Kinsellas’ house she find an affection and warmth she had not known and slowly, in their care, begins to blossom. But there is something unspoken in this new household – where everything is so well tended to – and the summer must come to an end. A total of 88 pages, this book is proving to be an exceptionally popular choice for other book clubs too, resulting in lively deliberations. If you would like to join us to review this story and participate in a light-hearted debate, whilst enjoying great company and refreshment. Then please save Wednesday 1st March at 6pm in your diary and email [email protected] for further details. We would all love to welcome you!
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – FEBRUARY
Thursday 23rd February. Art Appreciation
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY - MARCH
Wednesday 1st March Book Club meeting.
Sunday 5th March. Communion Service
Wednesday 8th March. Tea and Cake and Chat Reading Room
Sunday 19th March. Mothering Sunday Service
Monday 20th March. Lent Lunch
Art Appreciation; date to be confirmed.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY APRIL and beyond
Saturday 6th May. Coronation Party.
LOCAL HISTORY – Some interesting tombs.
The work being done in the Churchyard has drawn our attention to the gravestones – there are many interesting ones.
Five of the tombs are Grade 11 Listed, being of special architectural or historic interest. These tombs are south or south east of the church.
The chest tomb for Mary Warden who died in 1817, is made of limestone with a moulded plinth, plain inscription panels, reeded corner pilasters and a moulded flat top. Mary Warden was the wife of Joseph Warden and the daughter of Richard and Hannah Coombs who farmed here in Berwick and lived in The Dairy House. Mary’s baby daughter Selina who died in 1806 was also commemorated on this tomb.
The chest tomb for John Miles who died in 1776, is also limestone, with a wide plinth, two recessed panels to each side, fielded pilasters to centre and corners with a moulded flat top.
The other three tombs are listed together as they are for the Powell family. They are all in the same style, made of limestone, with a plinth, two recessed moulded panels to main sides, fielded corner and centre pilasters and a moulded flat top. They are to Robert Powell who died in 1768, Elias Powell who died in 1774 and the third one is illegible.
The Powell family had property in Berwick, as did the Miles family. Hopefully I will give more details of these families in later magazines, and also details of other gravestones too.
WILDLIFE WATCH
More sightings of otters (is it just one? living all the way from Asserton to Great Wishford?). The otter was seen on 16th January at Great Wishford, fishing in the flooded Wylye, all calm and serene, oblivious and dipping down and up searching for food. Just fantastic!
On a dog walk in Stapleford on 5th February – a Buzzard on the track road, a Heron over Butts Hill, Mallard ducks, Egret and Chaffinch, also Great tits, Blue tits, a pair of Bullfinches, Robin, Blackbirds and Red Kites. These are normal birds around here, however we are so lucky to be able to see them on our doorstep.
The Big Garden Bird Watch took place at the end of January – a report from Winterbourne Stoke done over one hour gives Blackbirds, Blue Tits, Chaffinch, Collared Dove, Goldfinch, Great Tit, House Sparrow, Robin, Starling, Woodpigeon, Jackdaw, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Wren and Pheasant. Also, but not at the same time, Treecreeper and Fieldfares. Today, 14th February, as I type this up, I can see most of the above on our bird table and can add Long tailed Tits.
This entry for the Benefice Magazine was gathered (and part of it written) by Nicky Street
This entry for the Benefice Magazine was gathered (and part of it written) by Nicky Street
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April '23
BERWICK ST JAMES
Our thoughts are with all who have recently lost friends and relatives.
BOB DRAKE.
Robert or Bob as he was called by most people was born on the 5th May 1952 in the house where he still lived. He loved the village and was involved in village life, being a founder member of both the Pumpkin club and the Cricket Club, helping to look after the cricket ground with his dad Bill.
He enjoyed gardening for people in the village but was most at home in The Boot Inn on both sides of the bar. Bob was widely respected and will be missed around Berwick St James. From Jeff Drake.
BOB DRAKE 5.5.52 – 25.1.2023
Bob was born in the village, a fact that he was very proud of. Bob left school to work for R Mouldings. Then went on to work for Euro car and then finally his passion full time gardening. At his own admission he was not computer literate. He didn’t need to be. Once seen or heard never forgotten. His knowledge of recent Berwick St James history was second to none. The Boot Inn played a big part of Bob’s life. When not working behind the bar he would be attending the pub garden, where many a people came just to sit in the garden and admire his work. Bob was also member of the pub‘s dart team. A founder member of the Pumpkin club and Cricket club but gardening was his passion. If ever you had a wilting plant? Just ask Bob. More often than not he would call round to your house and offer advice. Bob was Berwick through and through. And never be replaced. RIP Bob Drake. Shaun.
CHURCH NEWS
Services in April.
10.30am Palm Sunday 2nd April. Berwick will be hosting the Benefice (all nine churches) for a special Palm Sunday service. Weather permitting, the plan is for the able-bodied members of the congregation to process, led by two donkeys, form the Farm Shop to the church, where the service will commence. We look forward to a full church and all are welcome.
10.00am Easter Sunday – Holy Communion.
On the evening of Friday 14th April the Annual Parochial Church Meeting will take place place in the church. The meeting of the Parishioners will take place oat 6.00pm. These meetings are open to anyone who wishes to attend and all are welcome.
EASTER CROSSES
For the last two years, there has been a beautiful display of Easter crosses on the church railings for Easter. We are keen to do this again, so if anyone would like to make a cross, please contact Kate. Kate will provide a cross shaped wire florists’ frame to allow you to unleash your creative skills. No experience is needed and it is very much a matter of the more the merrier. Please tie any completed crosses to the railings outside the church on Easter Saturday (8th April) or, leave them with Kate. Thank you.
TEA and CAKE and CHAT
The next one will be on Wednesday 5th April 2.30pm – 4pm in the Reading Room.
We were very sorry to cancel the last Tea and Cake and Chat but the snow was bad! Looking forward to seeing you next time – more lovely cakes always welcome!
BERWICK BOOK CLUB
As anticipated, we had a particularly lively discussion at our last meeting and found ourselves analysing the workings of “Foster” by Claire Keegan for over two hours, in great company with fabulous refreshments. Tapping into each other’s life experiences, whilst we consider all possibilities – for each diverse topic we cover, is both stimulating and entertaining. In the three years we have been a group, we have hypothesized over many subjects are about to embark (slight pun) on yet another unusual field for “general conversation” in a social setting. We are currently reading “The Hidden Life of Trees” by Peter Wohlleben. Synopsis: an examination into the forest as a social network drawing on scientific discoveries describing how trees are like human families, tree parents live together with their children, communicate with them, support them as they grow, share nutrients with those who are sick and struggling and even warn each other of impending dangers. Guaranteed to change the way one sees trees. Our next meeting is on Wednesday 29th March at 6pm, please do feel very welcome to join us for a taster session and no doubt more enlightening conversation. If you are interested, please email [email protected] for further details.
PLANT PRODUCE and FLOWER TABLE supporting C.R.UK.
Hello villagers and neighbouring villages.
The propagators are earning their keep and the window ledges are getting fuller by the day. I am never more happy than when I am sowing seeds and have got earth under my finger nails .. with a glass of wine in hand of course lol. I am happy to tell you that I have got the use of a lovely neighbours greenhouse this season, it is going to make such a huge difference there is no stopping me now.. but having said that I need grow bags to get it all going so if you could see your way to donation one or two I would be very grateful .. you can leave at the table or I will collect .
I hope you are getting out and abut in your garden, should you have any plants that could be doing with bit of dividing that I could put up for our table I will only be too happy to come and do the job.
Yours Aye Christine
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY - MARCH
Wednesday 29th March. Book club.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY - APRIL
Sunday. 2nd April. Palm Sunday service.
Wednesday 5th April. Tea and Cake and Chat Reading Room
Sunday 9th April. Easter Sunday service.
Friday 14th April. Annual Parochial Church Meeting.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – MAY and onward.
Saturday 6th May. Coronation Party.
Tuesday 16th May. Village AGM
This entry for the Benefice Magazine was gathered (and part of it written) by Nicky Street
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May '23
BERWICK ST JAMES
CHURCH NEWS
April was a busy month for the church with the Benefice service on Palm Sunday and the Easter Sunday service. It was lovely to see a full church on successive Sundays and many thanks to all those who helped prepare the church. Everyone agreed the flowers looked lovely on Easter Sunday so special thanks to all the flower arrangers. Unfortunately the donkeys who were due to be with us on Palm Sunday proved less than keen to travel from Stapleford, despite the very best efforts of the owners to whom we send special thanks.
In May we have a special service on Sunday 7th May at 11.00am to celebrate the Coronation. No doubt by then the village will be awash with bunting and all things red, white and blue.
Later in the month, on Sunday 21st May we have Matins at 10.00am and the following weekend on Saturday 27th May we have the first of our three weddings scheduled for this year. Emily Humphreys is to be married to Archie Warman at 3.00pm and we all look forward to celebrating with the happy couple.
TEA and CAKE and CHAT in The Reading Room
In April we had a lovely afternoon, chatting and drinking tea and eating tasty cakes with daffodils bringing spring to the Reading Room. Margaret Mustill brought items from the 2nd World War and just after, including ration books, a beautiful dress made by Mrs West and a ring made from a toothbrush by one of the Italian Prisoners of war who were living on Druids Lodge.
The next Tea and Cake and Chat will be on Wednesday 3rd May 2.30pm to 4pm. As it is only a few days before King Charles’ Coronation, – would you like to bring some Memorabilia from previous Coronations? And perhaps memories too – maybe family stories about what happened in Berwick? Or from elsewhere.
CORONATION VILLAGE PARTY
Saturday 6th May. Start time 4pm – this will give people time to watch the Coronation during the day and then come to party together! Venue – The Boot Inn with thanks to Mike. Teas and Cake – will be available to buy. Food – Bring your own and there will be a Sausage BBQ. Drinks – you can bring your own but let’s support the Boot and get drinks there. Entertainment – there will be recorded music and lighting – let’s see how the night develops. Children – There will be lots of fun for the young ones (and those young at heart) with a bouncy assault course and other activities. Any queries contact Christian on [email protected]
VILLAGE MEETING – ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The next village meeting will be held on Tuesday 16th May at 7pm in The Reading Room. This will be our AGM and everybody is welcome to attend.
Over £800 was raised at Bob Drake’s funeral and Bob left specific instructions that funds should go to Berwick’s Community Fund. Ideas for how to spend this legacy will be discussed at the AGM.
PLANT PRODUCE and FLOWER TABLE supporting C.R.UK
Hello villagers and neighbouring villages.
Sorry that I didn’t get our table up and running for Easter weekend as per usual but hey that’s life for you. I hope that we are all go by the time you read this.
I will have early Butternut Squash Tomato Cucumber Courgette Chilli Herbs, bedding plants and lots more .. weather permitting of course, to put on the table. C.R.UK Salisbury have invited Marie and myself to attend their AGM as they rate Berwick St James and friends for what they call our outstanding efforts and contributions to the cause. Lets make this year the best yet .. we could go global. LOL.
Yours Aye Christine.
BERWICK BOOK CLUB
We are reading “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reed and look forward to discussing it on 26th April. Our book for May is “The Woman in the White Kimono” by Ana Johns. Please do feel very welcome to join us. If you are interested, please email [email protected] for further details.
WILDLIFE WATCH
Cowslips. I check the field at the back of Asserton House and the first cowslips I have seen there were just open on 24th March. Despite the up and down weather over the last couple of months this is only a couple of days later than average. Last year I recorded them on 17th March. In 2021 - 24th March. 2020 13th March. 2019 - 9th March, (this was the earliest I have records for). In 2018 – 24th March. 2017 - 19th March, 2016 - 14th March, 2015 - 1st April. 2014 – 21st March. 2013 – 15th April, 2012 – 25th March, 2011 – nearly out 16th March. 2010 – 4th April – all in the same place. We had cowslips flowering in the garden earlier.
This entry for the Benefice Magazine was gathered (and part of it written) by Nicky Street
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June '23
BERWICK ST JAMES
Thank you to everyone who made the Coronation Weekend such a success.
Our thoughts are with all villagers who have recently been bereaved.
CYRIL EMM 13/1/30 – 30/4/23. Sadly we regret to inform you that Cyril passed away in hospital on 30 April after a short illness. Cyril was a valued member of the Berwick community for almost 70 years. His family are devastated by his unexpected loss and will miss him more that they can say. For those of you who did not know him – he was the vintage tractor man. From his family.
The village send their condolences to Cyril’s family and many friends. He will be much missed in the village.
JOHN HARDWICK We are also so sorry to learn of the death of JOHN HARDWICK, and send our sympathy and condolence to his family and friends. He will also be much missed in the village.
CHURCH NEWS
Many thanks to all those who helped decorate the church for the Coronation Celebration. It is greatly appreciated.
We have a busy end of May with Cyril Emm’s funeral taking place here in Berwick St James at noon on Thursday 25th May.
At 3.00pm on Saturday 27th May we have a wedding in the church. Emily Humphreys is marrying Archie Warman. Traffic management should be eased as Toby and Sarah are opening up a paddock for car parking and the bride is walking from Berwick house to church.
In June we have our two normal services, Holy Communion at 09.30 on Sunday 4th June and Matins at 10.00am on Sunday 19th June.
TEA and CAKE and CHAT in the Reading Room.
At the May Tea and Cake and Chat we looked at old Coronation photos of the village, and other coronation memorabilia – thank you to everyone for bringing them, and also thank you for the lovely cakes!
The next Tea and Cake and Chat will be on Wednesday June 7th 2.30 to 4pm in the Reading Room. Everyone of all ages very much welcome, it is free – Cakes always welcome.
PLANT, PRODUCE and FLOWER TABLE supporting C.R.UK
Hello villagers and neighbouring villages.
Don’t know about you gardeners and growers out there but it has been a funny old start to the season .. for me anyhow .. I have failed on things that I normally have good success with like tomato plants so if you have any spare the table will be very grateful. It has been difficult getting things on the table with the unpredictable weather most things have been too tender to leave out, but hopefully by the time you read this we will be in full swing ..fingers crossed. I look forward to your continued support.
Yours Aye Christine.
CORONATION PARTY
Berwick St James marked the Coronation of King Charles III with a relaxed and informal party in the gardens of The Boot pub which was well attended by villagers including many children. Many thanks go to everybody involved in making the event such an enjoyable day. Thanks to those who put up the tents and made it all look so pretty. Thanks for those who made the teas and made delicious cakes. Thanks to those who provided the BBQ and those who organized the children’s activities. Thanks to Mike the Boot’s landlord for welcoming the village to his garden! Thanks also to all those who then helped to clear up and take down the tents. What a fabulous village event! And special thanks to Christian for the lights, hard work etc.
BERWICK BOOK CLUB
We are reading “The Woman in the White Kimono” by Ana Johns and look forward to discussing it on 31st May. Our book for June is “Take your breath away” by Linwood Barclay. Please do feel very welcome to join us. If you are interested, please email [email protected] for further details.
LOCAL HISTORY
BERWICK SCHOOL and Coronations.
I looked in the Berwick School Log Book to see what happened at Berwick School at the Coronations. The log-book only records basic events – visits from the dentist, opening and closing at the start and end of term etc.
There was no mention of the Coronation of George V in 1911.
1936. Jan 28th. The school was closed for the Funeral of His Majesty King George V who died on Jan 20th.
1937. May 11th. The builder, Mr Whatley, and a member of the County Architects staff called in the afternoon to inspect defect in a wash-basin and to discuss removal of a heap of earth from the grass plot. School closed at the end of the afternoon for the Coronation and Whitsun holidays.
1953. May 22. School closed for Whitsun Holiday. Reopened on Monday June 1st and closed June 2nd to 4th for Coronation Celebrations.
Hopefully everyone had a great time!
WILDLIFE WATCH
ASIAN HORNET ALERT!
Asian hornets are an extremely aggressive predator of honeybees and other important native pollinating insects. they have been seen in the UK since 2016 and there have been sightings in the south of England again this year. They can be identified by the following features:
.slightly smaller than our native hornet, .dark abdomen, fourth segment yellow, .bright yellow tips to legs
.entirely brown/black thorax (the upper part of the body). Sightings should be reported immediately using an online form at www.nonnativespecies.org/alert/asianhornet or by email to [email protected].
There is also a free iPhone and Android app: Asian Hornet Watch.
Birds. The cuckoo was heard in Berwick on 7th May, and in Stapleford on 13th May. A wide range of birds on my bird table including Chaffinches, Robin, Goldfinch, Sparrow, Dunnock, Pigeon, Collared Dove, Woodpecker, Jackdaw, Pheasants and Partridge, Blue, Great and Longtailed Tits, blackbird …
Butterflies. Around the Berwick farm tracks – Brimstone, Common White, Orange Tip, Painted Lady (and other dark ones – unidentified!).
This entry for the Benefice Magazine was gathered (and part of it written) by Nicky Street
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July '23
BERWICK ST JAMES
CONGRATULATIONS to Emily Humphreys and Archie Warman on their wedding on 27th May. We wish them all happiness in the years to come.
GET WELL SOON to all those who have recently had operations, and also to all who are feeling under the weather.
CONGRATULATIONS to The Old Forge Farm Shop which has won “Best Farmshop/Deli in Wiltshire” as part of the “In Love with Local Awards 2023” by Muddy Stilettos. Thank you to everyone who voted for the shop. Find out more at muddystilettos.co.uk
CYRIL EMM. Cyril was born on 13th January 1930, and what amazing changes he saw in his 93 years. He was born at Stratford Tony the youngest of 5 children, and also had 8 step brothers and sisters after his mother died and his father remarried. Leaving school at 14 he worked on farms, married his beloved Josie in 1950, his children Ann, Tony and Ron arrived in 1951, 1952 and 1953.
In 1954 they all came to Berwick. Cyril worked for Mr George Street senior, and then Mr George Street, working here on Berwick Hill Farm for the Streets for 41 years as foreman, retiring in 1995 but continuing to drive the combine throughout harvest and doing maintenance and helping out and giving advice, for many years. His knowledge and advice was invaluable.
In 1982 he bought his first Allis Chalmers Model U tractor, and he was eventually to restore 9 tractors and crawlers. He, and his family, had many happy times at vintage rallies. His knowledge of Allis Chalmers was extensively sought by other enthusiasts both near and far. His final restoration was of a 1927 Model 20-35 Allis Chalmers tractor which accompanied him to his funeral.
Cyril produced beautiful roses and grew sumptuous vegetables which he generously shared with family, friends and neighbours. He was a very kind and thoughtful person always ready to lend a hand to anyone who needed it and he was as proud of his family as they were of him. Cyril Emm will be much missed by all his family and many friends. From the Emm family.
CHURCH NEWS
Not so much to report this month with just the two regular services in July, Holy Communion at 09.30a.m on Sunday 2nd and Matins on Sunday 16th.
August will be somewhat busier with two weddings and a baptism.
TEA and CAKE and CHAT in the Reading Room
A great time was had at the last Tea and Cake and Chat – many thanks for all the marvellous cakes, and also thanks to Sam at the Farm Shop for the delicious Custard tarts!
The next Tea and Cake and Chat will be on Wednesday 5th July 2.30pm to 4pm in the Reading Room. Everyone of all ages very much welcome. It is free – cakes always welcome.
BERWICK ST JAMES VILLAGE MEETING
Christian Lange and Sarah Humphreys are stepping down as co-chair of the Berwick St James Village meeting. Sincere thanks and gratitude for their significant contribution to our community through four unusually challenging years. Berwick St James Village Meeting will now be chaired by Julian Glyn-Owen. Our Meeting Secretary will be Hayley Burrey. Bill Hiscocks has kindly offered to remain as Treasurer. Meetings are held on a quarterly basis in the Reading Room, the next being mid-September. Those who wish to bring agenda topics to village meetings please do so two weeks beforehand. Julian and Hayley can be contacted though [email protected]
PLANT, PRODUCE and FLOWER TABLE supporting C.R.UK.
Hello villagers and neighbouring villages.
Last month I was complaining about getting plants on the table because of unpredictable weather, this time it’s the heat and of course lack of rain for the gardens and water butts .. ye canna win lol .. For those of you who don’t have a greenhouse there are outdoor cucumbers on the table far nicer than store bought the kids will love them.. they will do very well in a grow bag. Chilli plants are ready.. Jalapeno Cayenne and Paper Lantern for the serious cooks. Let’s hope this weather brings forth a bumper harvest.
I look forward to your continued support. Yours Aye Christine.
THE BEAUTY OF BUGS
A talk by Juliet ten Doeschate
On Thursday 17th August at 7pm in Berwick Reading Room. £5 per head to include a glass of wine, beer or soft drink. In aid of Stars Appeal Salisbury District Hospital.
A brilliant talk with fabulous photos of butterflies, beetles, damselflies and other insects all taken locally. Come and be amazed at what is around the tracks and in your garden!
BERWICK BOOK CLUB
Further to our last meeting, which took us on a delightful journey from Japan 1957 to present day America, as we deliberated our findings of “The Woman in the White kimono” by Ana Johns. We are now engaged in a gripping fast paced psychological thriller and the stimulation we experience as a group, due to our diverse reading material is keeping us all entertained month by month. Having welcomed another two members, we are now a merry group of 13 people and if we continue to grow, will probably start meeting in the Reading Room. The current book is “Take your Breath Away” by Linwood Barclay. Synopsis: When his wife vanishes from their home one night, never to be seen again, people assume Andy got away with murder. The police can’t build a case against him, but still his friends and neighbours abandon him. Our next meeting is on Wednesday 28th June at 6pm and if you would like to join us for a taster session, with great company and refreshments, you will be warmly received. If you are tempted, please email [email protected] for further details.
WILDLIFE WATCH
Birds. The Cuckoo was heard many times during the last half of May. It has been wonderful to watch the spectacular flight of swifts again in Stapleford at the beginning of June. House Martins, Swifts and Swallows seen up and down High St in Berwick. A pair of Yellowhammers in an Uppington garden in early June – a Blue Tit hatched a nest of young in our summerhouse and has since disappeared without trace – a wretched Sparrowhawk has been about! Goldfinches, a pair of Wrens also seen. In Berwick – and in addition to the usual on the bird table – greenfinches and treecreeper.
This entry for the Benefice Magazine was gathered (and part of it written) by Nicky Street.
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August 23
BERWICK ST JAMES
Welcome to Andy and Lesley Waters – we do hope you enjoy living in Berwick.
The Emm family would like to say that the retiring collection at Cyril Emm’s funeral raised £482 for Marie Curie and they would like to thank everyone for their generosity.
THE BEAUTY OF BUGS
A talk by Juliet ten Doeschate
On Thursday 17th August at 7pm in Berwick Reading Room.
£5 per head to include a glass of wine, beer or soft drink. In aid of Stars Appeal Salisbury District Hospital.
A brilliant talk with fabulous photos of butterflies, beetles, damselflies and other insects all taken locally. Come and be amazed at what is around the tracks and in your garden!
TEA and CAKE and CHAT in the Reading Room
The next Tea and Cake and Chat will be on Wednesday 2nd August 2.30pm to 4pm in the Reading Room. Everyone of all ages very much welcome. It is free – cakes always welcome. I am looking forward to a nice cake and chat!
CHURCH NEWS
August will be a busy month for the church. We have our two regular services, Holy Communion at 9.30a.m. on Sunday 6th August and Matins at 10.00a.m on Sunday 20th August.
In addition we look forward to two weddings taking place in the same month, something that has not happened for many decades. On afternoon of Saturday 5th August, Isabel Bennet is marrying Nathan Copelin. Isabel is the niece of Olivia Marchant. A fortnight later, on the afternoon of Saturday 19th August, Maddie Withinshawe is marrying Nick Spence. Maddie is the god-daughter of Jeremy Walker.
Both brides have close connections with Berwick and we are delighted the couples chose to get married in the church here at Berwick. In last month’s magazine, I wrote that a baptism was scheduled for Sunday 6th August. This has unfortunately had to be postponed due to unforeseen military commitments
PLANT, PRODUCE and FLOWER TABLE supporting C.R.UK.
Re Plant Produce and Flower Table Supporting C.R.UK
Hello villagers and neighbouring villagers
What a season we have had so far too windy too hot and worst of all no rain I am filling my water buts with the hose..not good. Produce is starting to come forth my greenhouse cucumbers have been prolific as have the courgettes ..tomatoes coming on nicely and I am trying very hard to get tomatoes and basil at the same time not an easy feat lol ..My fruit trees are doing well as are others in the village looking forward to a very good harvest., and most important your ongoing support for our table...The Farm shop in our village is taking produce from me and has offered a pop up table in their yard supporting our worthwhile cause ..they have a lovely cafe and shop well worth a visit
Your Aye Christine
BERWICK BOOK CLUB
Our next meeting is on Wednesday 26th July at 6pm and if you would like to join us for a taster session, with great company and refreshments, you will be warmly received. The book we are reading is “Girl A” by Abigail Dean. If you are tempted, please email [email protected]
WILDLIFE WATCH
The spectacular flight of swifts reported in June over Stapleford which should have been reported in a previous month – apologies.
A Marsh Harrier over Druid’s dairy in early August. Many Red Kites seen, as well as Buzzards, and swallows and house martins preparing for migration.
This entry for the Benefice Magazine was gathered (and part of it written) by Nicky Street.
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September '23
BERWICK ST JAMES
Goodbye and Good Luck to ANNE HUGHES, who has left Berwick after many years to be with her family. She did a great deal for the village and will be much missed by her many friends.
Apologies to ANDY AND LESLEY WALTERS for misspelling their name in last month’s magazine.
Congratulations to ISABEL BENNETT and NATHAN COPELIN on their wedding, best wishes for your life together.
Get Well Soon to everyone under the weather and especially to MARGARET MUSTILL.
CHURCH NEWS
August was a busy month with two weddings.
At the time of writing, we have held the wedding on the 5th August between Isabel Bennett and Nathan Copelin. This was a very happy event, despite the distinctly unseasonal weather. We are now gearing up for the wedding on 19th between Maddie Withinshaw and Nick Spence. Fortunately, the forecast is for a return of summer weather.
On current information, September is looking to be somewhat quieter. On 3rd September, we have a Holy Communion service at 09.30 and on 17th September at 10.00am we have our annual Pet Service, which has proved very popular in previous years. It is a relaxed affair and as pet owners will know, anything can happen. Everyone is welcome, with or without a pet.
TEA and CAKE and CHAT in the Reading Room
The next Tea and Cake and Chat will be on Wednesday 6th September 2.30pm to 4pm in the Reading Room. Everyone of all ages very much welcome. It is free – cakes always welcome.
VILLAGE MEETING
The next village meeting will be held on 20th September at 7pm in the Reading Room. Please see the draft agenda sent out by email, if you have any additional points please raise these via email and let us know before 10th September to allow those organising it to arrange resources accordingly.
All very welcome so please come along and join in. Thank you and we look forward to seeing you there.
email [email protected]
PLANT, PRODUCE and FLOWER TABLE supporting C.R.UK.
Hello villagers and neighbouring villages.
Tomatoes took their time cucumbers courgettes by the bucket load..fruit around our area is doing very well. I have pears for the very first time on my young tree …more than pleased. If you have a glut of tomatoes with some to spare I would be grateful as I plan to make confit this year a great way to preserve and so useful. Strawberry plants will be on the table soon for Autumn planting best time for a strong fruiting plant next season. I look forward to your continued support.
Yours Aye Christine.
ART APPRECIATION in Berwick-St-James
The Autumn series of art presentations will commence on Thursday 14th September, when the topic will be Sir David Wilkie - The Peoples Painter. Having recently been to the National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh, which with the Royal collection Trust, have the most comprehensive collection of his works, I thought it was timely to explore the work of one to the most influential, but now largely forgotten British painters of the first half of the 19th century. Born in Cults, Fife in 1785, a decade after Turner, Wilkie was with Turner, Constable and Sir Thomas Lawrence, unrivalled in their respective disciplines of Genre, Landscape and Portraiture. His early works full of anecdote and humour, were much influenced by the 17th century Flemish and Dutch masters David Teniers, Adriaen Ostade, Rembrandt and Jan Steen, whilst later he fell under the spell of Rubens and the Spanish masters, Velasquez and Murillo. Further Thursday monthly meetings, topic and dates yet to be finalised, will be advertised in this magazine and on the village website.
Meeting take place in the Berwick-St-James Reading room (opposite the Boot Inn) commencing 7.00pm, with doors open 6.45. Entry on the evening is £5/head to include a glass of wine, with all proceeds donated to the Reading Room Fund. For further information, see the Berwick-St-James village website, contact Brian Armstrong on 07999 325804, or email [email protected]
BERWICK READING ROOM – booking.
To book Berwick Reading Room please email Nigel on [email protected] The village room is available to hire, as are the tables and chairs, crockery etc.
BERWICK BOOK CLUB
Our next meeting is on Wednesday 6th September at 6pm and if you would like to join us for a taster session, with great company and refreshments, you will be warmly received. The book we are reading is “England’s Villages” by Dr Ben Robinson If you are tempted, please email [email protected] or contact Hayley on 07774 926567 for further details.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY - SEPTEMBER
Wednesday 6th September. Tea and Cake and Chat.
Wednesday 6th September. Book Club
Thursday 14th September. Art Appreciation.
Sunday 17th September. Pet Service.
Wednesday 20th September. Village Meeting.
This entry for the Benefice Magazine was gathered (and part of it written) by Nicky Street.
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October '23
BERWICK ST JAMES
Welcome to Jeff and Helen Drake, it is great to have you back in the village.
Welcome to Jake and Shannon Bailey and Ella, Elsie May and Alfred. We do hope you enjoy living here. Although Chris Brain has moved out of Berwick, it is definitely not goodbye – best wishes in your new home close by!
Goodbye and good luck in the future to Frances Tallyn-Hancock.
Goodbye to Mike Doldon at The Boot Inn, we are all sorry that it didn’t work out, and we wish you good luck and all the best in the future.
The Beauty of Bugs talk in the Reading Room.
Many thanks to Juliet ten Doeschate for her wonderful talk on local insects, with fantastic photos. We raised £45.50 for SDH Stars Appeal. Thanks to all.
FENCING OF FOOTPATH WST010/BSJA8
You may well have seen the work carried out fencing the footpath across the water meadow to Winterbourne Stoke from Berwick St James.
This has been reluctantly erected following reports to the Health and Safety executive of cattle bothering footpath users. Following these reports our only option to keep the public safe on this section of footpath is to keep the animals separate from the people.
We hope that going forward we will be able to have sensible dialogue if any issues arise and that this does not set a precedent for other rights of way within the estate.
We ask that everyone continues to keep to the rights of way and follows the country code, so that everyone can enjoy the countryside around us.
Druids Lodge Estate.
CHURCH NEWS
As I write, September has proved to be somewhat busier than I was expecting partly due to the branch falling from the beech tree in the graveyard on Bank Holiday morning.
On 6th September we celebrated the life of Annie Wilson, whose funeral was held here at Berwick. Annie’s son, Les, lives on Druid’s and Annie enjoyed the Christmas Carol service and the tranquillity of the churchyard.
On 9th September I took part in the Ride and Stride fundraiser for Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust. I enjoy long walks and I also enjoy the heat but in truth I would have preferred not to be walking on what proved to be the hottest day of the year. However thanks to the generosity of village residents, I have raised so far some £300(plus gift aid). Half of this sum will be returned to the church here in Berwick. My profound thanks to everyone who supported me.
We have two services in October. On 1st October we are celebrating Harvest Festival at 9.30am and the church be decorated as usual. After the service, the produce donated will be donated to the Womens’ Refuge in Salisbury They accept fresh and tinned produce so if any village resident wishes to drop produce on the church on either Friday 29th or Saturday 30th September, we will gratefully accept it and include it in the display.
On 15th October at 10.00am there will be the usual Matins service.
TEA and CAKE and CHAT in the Reading Room
The last Tea and Cake and Chat took place in the lovely cool Reading Room in the 30 degree plus heat. The next one will be on TUESDAY 3rd October – plus note the change of day – 2.30 -4pm. We are going to try a Tuesday afternoon and see how it goes. Please let me know if this doesn’t work for you It is free, everyone welcome, (with or without a cake! if everyone brought a cake we would have too many!).
PLANT, PRODUCE and FLOWER Table Supporting C.R.UK
Hello Villagers and Neighbouring Villages.
Phew glad the heatwave is over .. don’t know about you but the up and down weather has not helped me, even my chillis don’t like it … we are planning a do at the Farm shop in Berwick St James on 29th October at 3pm in support of C.R.UK. Please come along have a nice time and share your growing experiences this season .. I would love your expert advice .. looking forward to seeing you ..
Yours Aye Christine.
SPOOKTACULAR AFTERNOON in aid of Cancer Research UK
Sunday 29th October 3pm -6pm.
The Old Forge Farm Shop & Café would be delighted if you can join us for a “Spooktacular Afternoon” in aid of Cancer Research UK. Everyone welcome – it would be lovely to see you all.
A variety of refreshments including cream teas, raffle/tombola and more, all in our quirky Halloween Barn.
Something for all the family. Raffle/tombola prizes needed! Please bring to the Farm Shop at any time.
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY - OCTOBER
Sunday 1st October. Harvest Festival
Tuesday 3rd October. Tea and Cake and Chat. Reading Room.
Sunday 29th October. Spooktacular Afternoon. Old Forge Farm Shop.
DECEMBER
Saturday 2nd December. Christmas Coffee Morning. Reading Room.
This entry for the Benefice Magazine was gathered (and part of it written) by Nicky Street.
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November 23
BERWICK ST JAMES
Our thoughts are with all those who have recently lost family members. We are thinking of you.
Welcome to Diane Jackson, we do hope you enjoy living in Berwick.
Get well soon to Kate Kalonga, hopefully we will be seeing you in the village soon. Her family thank everyone who attended and got her the help she needed. Thanks indeed to everyone.
Goodbye to Jackie Fisher who is moving to Stroud to be nearer her family. We will all miss you.
Jackie’s daughter Zoe writes - Jackie and Ian, with baby Claire, came to Berwick in 1965, Zoe and Rob came along in 1966 and 1969. Jackie set up a village playgroup in 1972, later becoming Chairman of Wiltshire Pre-School Association. She said that Jean Hibberd was a saint for all her help with the house and the children when they were growing up. She helped with things in the village like everyone, and was on the church cleaning rota and Reading Room Committee, helped with Fetes and Barn Dances and much more. Leaving Berwick in 2023 she (and Ian) have lived in Berwick for 58 years, with two Weddings and five of their seven grandchildren christened at the church. Happy times by all and good times spent with grandchildren enjoying the River Till.
Zoe also mentions her father Ian “Finally a nod to Dad who was the most magical Magician at our birthday parties and got quite a reputation and was asked to do magic at other parties in the village!(I still have has magician box complete with notes on magic tricks for each of our birthday .. when we were under 6 of course!)”
CHURCH NEWS
The Harvest Supper held in mid-September (after the submission of the October Parish Magazine report) was a great success, raising £455. This was split between St James Church and the Trussell Trust, who received £250. Special thanks to Jane Rowe and the “kitchen crew” who worked so hard and to all who came and bought raffle tickets.
Many thanks also to those who decorated the church for Harvest Festival in October and who provided produce, which was taken to The Women’s Refuge in Salisbury, who were most appreciative.
November is a quieter moth. We have a Holy Communion Service on Sunday 5th November at 9.30am and a Matins on Sunday 19th at 10.00am.
A Service of Remembrance is at Stapleford on Sunday 12th November, If anyone would like to attend but does not have transport, please contact Bill Hiscocks on 07919 168379.
Advance notice that the Carol Service is on 17th December at 6.00pm and is being organised, as usual, by Stephen Bush, for which many thanks. We are grateful that this year we are not competing with a World Cup Final.
SPOOKTACULAR AFTERNOON in aid of Cancer Research UK
Sunday 29th October 3pm -6pm.
The Old Forge Farm Shop & Café would be delighted if you can join us for a “Spooktacular Afternoon” in aid of Cancer Research UK. Everyone welcome – it would be lovely to see you all.
A variety of refreshments including cream teas, raffle/tombola and more, all in our quirky Halloween Barn.
Something for all the family, for children, and adults too.
WANTED - Raffle and tombola prizes needed! Please bring to the Farm Shop at any time. Lets make it the greatest Tombola ever! (wine, gin, plants, chocolates……)
TEA and CAKE and CHAT in the Reading Room
The October Tea and Cake and Chat took place on Tuesday afternoon, and was a great success. So we will be continuing on a TUESDAY AFTERNOONS from 2.30 -4pm. The next will be on Tuesday 7th November then Tuesday 5th December. It is free, everyone welcome, (with or without a cake! if everyone brought a cake we would have too many!).
PLANT, PRODUCE and FLOWER Table Supporting C.R.UK
Hello Villagers and Neighbouring Villages.
Well another season has almost come to end with the exception of you expert gardeners who grow winter vegetables, nothing beats a sprout that has had a frost on it. I would like to thank all of you who have supported our village table one way or another, it has been a difficult year with not much footfall in the village.
On a personal level I lost my wee brother recently to cancer, we are not the only family, friends or neighbours who have gone through this heartache there are far too many of us, that why little tables like ours, 5k runs, local events, coffee mornings and every else caring people do up and down the country is so important in raising funds for research .. for the future generation
Yours Aye Christine.
BERWICK BOOK CLUB
We are currently reading “Five Little Indians” by Michelle Good. Synopsis: Taken from their families when they are very small and sent to a remote, church-run residential school, Kenny, Lucy, Clara, Howie and Maisie are barely out of childhood when they are finally released after years of detention. With compassion and insight, Five Little Indians chronicles the desperate quest of these residential school survivors to come to terms with their past and , ultimately, find a way forward. Our next meeting is on Wednesday 25th October and will be held in the Reading Room at 6pm, which we have taken to using as our numbers have grown to 13 members, with such a collective group of diverse life experience. Every meeting is always lively,, with its’ own bespoke flavour – if you would like to pop along for a taster session, enjoying stimulating company with refreshments, you will be warmly received. Please email [email protected]
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY - OCTOBER
Wednesday 25th October. Book club. Reading Room
Sunday 29th October. Spooktacular Afternoon. Old Forge Farm Shop.
NOVEMBER.
Tuesday 7th November. Tea and Cake and Chat. Reading Room.
DECEMBER
Saturday 2nd December. Christmas Coffee Morning. Reading Room.
Tuesday 5th December. Tea and Cake and Chat. Reading Room.
LOCAL HISTORY
Our September Berwick Book Club read was “English Villages” by Ben Robinson, and questions arose about local names. So I thought you might be interested in some of ours.
Berwick is an Anglo-Saxon word meaning an outlying grange or farm, usually growing barley. It is thought that one of the Winterbournes in the Domesday Book refers to Berwick. The first certain reference to this Berwick is in 1190 when it is called Berewyk Santi Jacobi in the Salisbury Charters. The saint is Saint James of Compostela, in Spain, whose veneration was popularised in England by Queen Matilda in the twelfth century.
Asserton means Aeschere’s tun, or farm. This is Saxon in origin as well. The hamlet is recoded in 1279 as Asshereston and it was frequently referred to as “Winterbourn Ascerton in Berwick”
Stapleford is recorded in the Domesday Book. The name means, again in Anglo-Saxon, a ford marked by a post or posts. The river forded at Stapleford could have been the Wylye or the Till.
I think of these people who lived and farmed here over 1000 years ago, and what happened to the people who had been here before – the Iron Age people who built Yarnbury Castle, the Romano-British in their farmstead between Berwick and Winterbourne Stoke – our villages don’t bear their choice of names, yet some of the natural features do. The first recorded reference to the river Wylye is in an Anglo-Saxon charter of 688 when it was spelt Wileo. Later spellings include Wilig in 860, Wili Stream in 1045 and Wylie in 1279. The origin of the name is not certain, but it is pre-English, that is Celtic, and may mean “a tricky stream”
The River Till was called Winterbourne Water until well into the sixteenth century. The name Till is a back-formation from Tilshead. “Tilshead” does not mean the head of Till, but Theodwulf’s hide of land. A Hide was about 60 acres.
This entry for the Benefice Magazine was gathered (and part of it written) by Nicky Street.
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December '23
BERWICK ST JAMES
Happy Christmas to everyone.
Congratulations to Johanna and James Hardy on the birth of their son Thilo – best wishes to you all.
Our thoughts are with those who have recently been bereaved.
READING ROOM CHRISTMAS COFFEE MORNING and SALE
Saturday 2nd December from 10.30am.
We would love to see you at the Christmas Coffee Morning and Sale – Grand Raffle including Hamper, Tombola, Cakes and Produce, Village Cards, Christmas Cards and Paper. FREE TEA and COFFEE.
We are delighted to say that Ellie O’Neill- Street will be selling her cards and other decorated items!
Come and join us for good company and help raise funds for the Reading Room.
Collecting for the Christmas Coffee Morning and Sale.
We would be delighted to receive items for the Raffle, Tombola, Cakes, Produce and Christmas items (wrapping paper, cards etc). The Reading Room will be open on Friday 1st December between 2.30 and 3.30pm, and items can also be left at any time in the porch of The Clock House, or in the garage by the eggs at Berwick Hill Farm (Dairy House). For collection or any queries please email or ring Nicky 790309 [email protected]
CHURCH NEWS
There is a Holy Communion service at 9.30am on the first Sunday of the month, which is Sunday 3rd December.
The Candlelit Carol Service of 7 Lessons and Carols will take place at St James Church at 6.00pm on Sunday 17th December. This is always one of the highlights of the year and we look forward to seeing a full church once again. I am particularly pleased there is no clash this year with the World Cup final, as there was in 2022. The Carol Service will be followed by mulled wine (soft drinks for the children) and mince pies.
On Christmas Day itself there will be a short Family Service at 10.30am, followed immediately Holy Communion for those who wish to stay. Everyone is most welcome to attend.
As we approach the end of the year, I would like to thank everyone who has helped with the church in 2023. The cast is a long one with Martin Gairdner playing the organ, Gail Lovett cleaning the brass, Keith Lovett helping with the hedges, Ailsa Bush providing coffee after the Matins services, Lizzie Barnes organising the flower rota and to Stephen Bush for offering advice on so much. To them and to everyone on the locking/unlocking rota, the cleaning rotas, the flower rota or the reading rota, I send my sincere thanks. It is greatly appreciated and thank you so much.
TEA and CAKE and CHAT in the Reading Room
We had a great time at the October Tea and Cake and Chat – lots of people and cakes with special mention to the ginger cake. The next one will be on Tuesday 5th December from 2.30 – 4pm. It is free, everyone welcome (with or without a cake!).
ART APPRECIATION in Berwick-St-James
The final art presentation this year will take place on Thursday the December, when the title of the presentation with be Samuel Palmer’s Pastoral Idyll to Caspar David Friedrich’s Sublime Landscape. Palmer, born in 1805, is loved by many for his small, somewhat archaic, but beautifully conceived evocations of the countryside around the Kentish village of Shoreham, much influenced by William Blake. Born some thirty years earlier in Griefswald, Swedish Pomerania, on the Baltic coast of Germany, Friedrich knew much tragedy in his childhood, becoming motherless at the age of seven and suffering the loss of two sisters and most tragically a brother, who witnessed by Friedrich, fell through ice and drowned. One suspects that these tragic memories remained with the artist all his life, as he explored man’s relationship in allegorical and spiritual manifestations of the Sublime in God’s World, in so doing becoming with works such as The Cross in the Mountains (The Tetschen Altar) and The Wanderer above a Sea of Mist, Germany’s equivalent of J.M.W. Turner.
The venue for meetings is Berwick-St-James Reading Room (opposite the Boot Inn) c, commencing 7pm with doors open from 6.45. Entry is £5/head to include a glass of wine, or beer, with all proceeds to the Reading Room Fund.
BERWICK BOOK CLUB
This month we are reading the fascinating book “Memoirs of a Geisha” – there will be a lot to discuss! We are meeting on Wednesday 29th November and look forward to a great chat. At the December get-together we will chat about a Christmas themed book which will be chosen shortly. Every meeting is always lively, and if you would like to come to a session, enjoying stimulating company with refreshments , you are most welcome and will be warmly received. Please email [email protected]
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
NOVEMBER
29th November. Wednesday. Book Club.
DECEMBER
2nd December. Saturday. Christmas Coffee Sale. Reading Room
5th December. Tuesday. Tea and Cake and Chat. Reading Room
17th December. Sunday. Candlelit Carol Service. 6pm. Berwick Church
25th December. Christmas Day Service. 10.30am. Berwick Church.
TBC December. Christmas Book Club.
JANUARY
9th January. Tuesday. Tea and Cake and Chat. Reading Room
FEBRUARY
6th February. Tuesday. Tea and Cake and Chat. Reading Room.
This entry for the Benefice Magazine was gathered (and part of it written) by Nicky Street.
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