July 2013

1

SAYING THANK YOU

Why go to church? To keep us vicars in business? To look after our lovely old buildings? I want to

say – quite simply – we come to church TO SAY THANK YOU.

God meant us to be thanking people. Just as a car works best when you fill it up with petrol and not

water, so human beings work best when they give and receive thanks. A good example is marriage.

Marriages work best when you show appreciation to each other –regularly.

I’ve always liked these words – which I noted down many years ago: ‘Real deep down gratitude unlocks

the prison doors of the self - makes us more aware of others, and less of ourselves.’

And this from St Augustine, written 1,500 years ago: ‘As human beings, Lord, we are part of your

creation, made by you, and our instinct is to praise you…the thought of you stirs us so deeply that we

cannot be content unless we praise you, because you made us for yourself, and our hearts find no peace

until they rest in you.’

So that is how God made us – to be thanking people, grateful people. Sometimes that is easy. I

remember the day of my daughter’s wedding, in July 2004. We had a large marquee on the vicarage

lawn. It was a wonderful service – although we had no organ at the time, but we still had lots of fantastic

music. The weather was perfect. And the most wonderful moment was walking up the aisle with

Eleanor. And for days afterwards my heart was full. I wanted to say ‘Thank you Lord.’

And we all have so much to give thanks for. But we are meant to be thanking people, not just when

everything is going well. Not just in the sunshine, but in the rain. Not just in happy times, but in sad

times. In January 2007 my wife died, after a short illness. We made the funeral a great act of

thanksgiving.

Meister Eckhart, in the fourteenth century wrote: ‘If the only prayer you ever said was thank you that

would be enough.’

Canon Brian Davis

Looking after St Leonard’s, Misterton and All Saints, Shawell.

The Five Parishes News

Serving the villages of Catthorpe, Misterton/Walcote, Shawell,

Stanford-on-Avon, and Swinford

The copy deadline for the August issue is Thursday 18th July

Please send news items, by the copy date, to: news@avonswift.org.uk

Copies of the current and previous newsletters are also available to view online at: www.avonswift.org.uk

What’s On - July

2nd Swinford Parish Council

11th Swinford Skirts

11th Swinford WI

21st Cream Teas, All Saints

Swinford

July 2013

2

SWINFORD SKIRTS

Swinford Skirts had a wonderful day out at the

Cheltenham Food and Drink Festival on Friday 14th

June. The coach departed Swinford at 9.30am and

returned some eleven hours later with some very

contented Skirts. We enjoyed a day of sampling all sorts

of food including meats, cheeses, jams, cakes, pies and

of course some wines, Irish liquors and gin. There were

cooking demonstrations and wine tasting talks. We

enjoyed an excellent lunch and cocktails at Mojitos! The

day was enhanced by sunny weather. Skirts were posted

on Ken Goodwin's ITV twitter page! We also watched

his live TV recording! Check out the Skirts Facebook

website for some pictures (thanks Sharon). Many thanks

to Helen for organising a super day.

Our next meeting will be on Thursday 11th July. Cath-

erine is organizing a small round of Golf at Ansty Golf

Course. All abilities welcome. Cost £9. Just playing golf

and then drinks afterwards. Please let Catherine know if

you would like to come on 07921 350560.

I have purchased 19 tickets to see 'Fascinating Aida' at

the delightful Kilworth House theatre on Thursday 5th

September. I have some tickets left so please contact me

and I shall save you one.

Julie Morris 07765 148335

ST THOMAS'S CATTHORPE

Leading up to Open Farm Sunday on the 9th June we

held two draws for an adult's and children's hamper. The

sun shone upon Manor Farm on 'Open Farm Sunday'

and we also hosted a plant and tombola stall with

donations from generous villagers. This is just the start

to our fund raising to enable us to rebuild our bell tower

and we hope one day, in the not too distant future, we

will be allowed to ring the Catthorpe bells again.

We are looking forward to hosting the group service on

Sunday 28th July. We hope everyone will be able to join

us for coffee and cake after the service.

Rebecca Bowen

CREAM TEAS!

On 21st July between 2 and 4pm,

come to All Saints Swinford and enjoy a

Cream Tea, with lovely cakes available.

July 2013

3

NEW 'FRUITFUL' PRAYER TRAIL

– COME AND VISIT IT!

On Thursday 4th July, an exciting new Prayer Trail will

be launched in the grounds of Gilmorton Chandler CofE

Primary School. It will be open for all to visit between

3.30pm and 4.30pm. The Trail is based on the fruit of

the Spirit in Galatians 5.22-23:

'the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,

patience, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness, gentleness and self-control'.

There are seven stations, each inspired by one or more

of the fruits. All the children at the school were involved

in generating ideas which were then used by artists to

construct sculptures and other works of art. The

different stations are placed throughout the lovely

school grounds to be places which act as a prompt to

thinking, meditation and prayer.

The Trail has been funded in memory of Professor Alan

Everitt, who was Professor of Local History at the

University of Leicester and lived for many years in

Kimcote. Four of the artists are local people: Martin

Goddard and John Tozer of Walton and Andy Moyes

and Kerr Doig of Gilmorton. They have been joined by

three other artists from further afield in the county.

The art installations have been constructed using

different materials: wood, metal, ceramics and even

recycled plastic bottle tops! The children are really

excited by the trail becoming a reality and it has been a

wonderful way of including local people from the

community. The school and I would love to welcome

you to take a look anytime between 3.30pm and 4.30pm

on Thursday 4th July.

Rev'd Emma Davies

SWINFORD WI

Our 13th June meeting was supposed to be a Garden

Visit but this has been put back to August. Instead we

were all invited to Mary McCulloch's house for a cheese

and wine evening.

The weather was glorious and, with wine glass in hand,

many of the members wandered around Mary's garden

admiring the plants - it is certainly a very beautiful

garden.

We adjourned to the living room for the more formal

part of the meeting which was taken by Gwen Kelly and

Mary McCulloch. The arrangements for a plaque for the

four Jubilee trees planted in the cemetery extension was

discussed. We were also asked to consider preparations

for a celebration for the 90th Birthday of Swinford W.I.

in 2014. The team for the Rose Bowl Quiz on the 19th

July 2013

4

June was finalised. A prestigious national W.I. raffle was

announced with prizes of £5,000, a cruise and West End

shows, etc. Tickets were distributed for the June visit to

see My Fair Lady at Kilworth House and a visit in

February 2014 to the Concordia Theatre in Hinckley to

see The Mikado was discussed. Various leaflets and

flyers relating to upcoming W.I. events were made

available for interested parties.

Mary McCulloch then gave a very detailed report of her

visit to the W.I. AGM in Cardiff. She stayed overnight,

and the visit was packed with discussions of

Resolutions, voting, speakers such as Griff Rhys Jones,

William Shawcross and a very funny and entertaining

John Humphrys and the meeting ended with community

singing.

Everyone, with refills of wine, made their way to the

kitchen/dining room/conservatory areas where we were

met with a veritable feast of different cheeses with

biscuits, nibbles, grapes and Chris Paul had baked a tray

of lovely carrot cakes. Everyone was chatting amiably

and as the wine was topped up we touched on such sub-

jects as tattoos, waxing, etc. with hilarious results and

much laughter. No-one seemed in a hurry to go home

and all the ladies confirmed that it was a very good

night.

July 2013

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Our next meeting is a Garden Party on 11th July at

Lillian Hazel Watson's house. Don't miss it. It starts at

7.30 p.m. and is a shared table buffet. We look forward

to seeing you there.

Linda O'Reardon

NEWS FROM SWINFORD SCHOOL

Firstly, we would like to give a very big thank you to

FOSS (Friends of Swinford School) for organising the

'Pirate' themed Swinford School May Fete on Saturday

18th May. There was a wonderful choice of stalls,

refreshments and activities, including hovercraft rides!

The May King, Frankie Hackett, and May Queen,

Magenta Ellis, were crowned and everyone enjoyed a

great traditional display of maypole dancing by our year

3 and 4 children. The turnout was amazing and we thank

the community of the Five Parishes for their support and

we hope everyone who came along had a fantastic time!

Congratulations to our year 3 & 4 rounders team for

winning the Lutterworth Area Schools competition. Ten

teams took part and they played brilliantly – we are

incredibly proud of them.

Our school Sports Day took place on Tuesday 18th

June. This is always a special day in our school calendar

that is eagerly anticipated by both the children and

adults and the weather did not let us down! The

children had been training hard and thoroughly enjoyed

taking part in their races. As we write, the results have

yet to be finalised to determine the House Cup winning

team.

All of the classes have educational trips planned. The

Reception Class had a great time at Manor Farm and

Woodlands near East Leake. It has nature trails and a

selection of animals, including donkeys and owls – most

of them rescued. The other classes will be taking part in

a sculpture workshop at the University of Leicester

Botanical Gardens. This visit is linked to an art themed

project when visiting artists come in to school to work

with the children using a variety of materials.

Our Open Evening was held on Thursday 27th June.

Parents/carers and visitors were able to see work the

children have produced during this school year and had

the chance to meet members of staff.

We come to the last few weeks of our academic year

when we say farewell to our year 6 children as they

move on to their next schools. Before we break up for

the summer holidays we have our end of year

production of 'Rebecca Riding Hood' by years 5 & 6,

our end of term Church assembly led by Father Chris

Oxley and our special 'Leavers Assembly' held on our

July 2013

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Avon-Swift Group Services

Sunday 7th July 6th Sunday after Trinity (Proper 9) Isaiah 66: 10-14

Gal. 6: 1-16

Luke 10: 1-11, 16-20

8.30 am North Kilworth Holy Communion (BCP) Rev’d Jane Kennedy

9.30 am Kimcote Holy Communion (CW) Rev’d Emma Davies

9.30 am Stanford on Avon Holy Communion (CW) Canon Chris Oxley

10.30 am Misterton Holy Communion (CW) Canon Brian Davis

11.00 am Gilmorton Family Service Rev’d Emma Davies

11.15 am Catthorpe Holy Communion (CW) Canon Chris Oxley

4.00 pm Peatling Parva Songs of Praise Rev’d Emma Davies

6.00 pm Swinford Holy Communion (CW) Canon Chris Oxley

Sunday 14th July 7th Sunday after Trinity (Proper 10) Deut. 30: 9-14

Col. 1: 1-14

Luke 10: 25-37

8.30 am Kimcote Holy Communion (BCP) Rev’d Emma Davies

9.30 am Swinford All-age worship Canon Chris Oxley

9.30 am Ashby Magna Holy Communion (CW) Rev’d Emma Davies

9.45 am South Kilworth Family Service Beth Rogers

11.00 am Gilmorton Holy Communion (CW) Canon Chris Oxley

4 pm Misterton All-age Worship Canon Brian Davis

Tuesday 16th July

9.30 am South Kilworth Holy Communion (BCP) Canon Chris Oxley

Sunday 21st July 8th Sunday after Trinity (Proper 11) Gen. 18:1-10a

Col. 1: 15-28

Luke 10: 38-end

8.30 am Gilmorton Holy Communion (CW) Canon Chris Oxley

9.30 am North Kilworth All-age Communion (CW) Canon Chris Oxley

9.30 am Kimcote Matins (BCP) Keith Wilding

9.30 am Ashby Magna All-Age Service Rev’d Jane Kennedy

9.45 am South Kilworth Holy Communion (BCP) Rev’d Paula Oxley

11.00 am Peatling Parva Holy Communion (BCP) Canon Chris Oxley

4 pm Shawell All-age Holy Communion (CW) Canon Brian Davis

6.00 pm Swinford Evensong Canon Chris Oxley

Sunday 28 July 9th Sunday after Trinity Readings t..b.a.

10.30 am Catthorpe Avon Swift Group Service Canon Chris Oxley

Holy Communion (CW) Rev’d Jane Kennedy

July 2013

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BCP = Book of Common Prayer (1662) – traditional language

CW = Common Worship (2000) – contemporary language

Morning Prayer – Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays at 9am at Swinford Church

Evening Prayer – Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays at 5pm at Gilmorton Church

All enquiries regarding Church matters should be directed to:-

The Revd Canon Chris Oxley, The Rectory, Kilworth Road, Swinford.

Telephone: 01788 860445; email oxleycr@btopenworld.com

The Revd Emma Davies, The Vicarage, 5 Church Lane, Gilmorton.

Telephone: 01455 556573; email emma.davies1@sky.com

The Revd Jane Kennedy,, 17 Cromwell Close, Walcote.

Telephone: 01455 554065; jane@kennedy47.orangehome.co.uk

For Misterton and Shawell:

The Revd Canon Brian Davis, Telephone: 01858 431843; email revbdavis@aol.com

From the Parish Registers

Baptisms - we welcome into our Church Family:

Emma Rose Evelyn Willars 2nd June Swinford

Weddings - we wish every blessing on their marriage to:

Wesley Tipper and Katie Caunt 26th May Kimcote

Damien Ranford and Kate Phillips 1st June North Kilworth

Daniel Paul Lee and Michelle Rose Knight 21st June Shawell

Funerals - we say farewell and commit to Almighty God:

Andrew John Watts aged 68 years 12th June Misterton

JOURNEY IN FAITH ACADEMIC YEAR 2013 / 2014

Will begin with an Induction Morning on Saturday 28th

September at St Martins House in Leicester

Canon Chris Oxley writes:

I led this course in Leicester for a number of years and

am now convening a Group for South Leicestershire

and interest has already been shown locally using

Thursday evenings.

We shall have a range of tutors...it’s a super course and

a very good way of getting to know other local Chris-

tians.

Either have a word with me or contact Claire direct

(see below).

The course is delivered to local groups in thirty sessions

of two hours.

Term 1 Exploring Faith

Sessions include an opportunity to consider our own

faith journeys and an introduction to Theological Re-

flection

Term 2 God’s Call and Our Response

Sessions include an introduction to the Old Testament

Term 3 Development of the Church

Sessions include an introduction to the New Testament

and Church Doctrine - what we say we believe.

Running through all 3 terms will be evenings entitled

Ministry, Mission and Vocation when we will consider

how we discern our gifts, hearing God’s call and mak-

ing our response to God.

Folders of study material will be provided. Written

work (or equivalent) is not obligatory but there will be

the option of completing one small project or essay each

term. For those wanting to progress to further study we

will ask for a least one essay in the course of the year.

The total cost of the course will be £120.

Contact Claire Stapleton for more information

T: 0116 261 5317 E: Claire.Stapleton@leccofe.org

July 2013

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NEWS FROM SWINFORD SCHOOL (CONTD)

very last afternoon.

We would also like to mention our volunteers who give

their time each week to help out in school, whether it be

reading, art, gardening or music. Thank you so much we

greatly appreciate all that you do and we look forward to

seeing you again after the summer holidays. And we

would also like to thank the school's Board of

Governors, who give up many hours each term for visits,

meeting and discussions, all on a voluntary basis. Your

guidance and support is invaluable!

As ever, if you have pre-school children and would like

to come and visit us, we would love to meet you and

show you our school. Please call to make an

appointment. We would also appreciate you registering

your interest in them joining our school by calling the

office and letting us know in which year they are due to

start school (this is the academic year in which they turn

5 years old).

Mr Edy O'Connor

Head Teacher

Tel: 01788 860404

Email: admin@swinford.leics.sch.uk

Website: www.swinford.leics.sch.uk

July 2013

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SWINFORD WEDNESDAY CLUB

It is such a nice feeling to be able to leave the heaters

off in the small room and occasionally to leave the door

open! Winter seems to have lasted a very long time and

all of the ladies have welcomed some better (and

warmer) weather.

However, no matter what the weather the Wednesday

Club is still a very vibrant part of village life. Many of

the members are of a 'certain age' but they can still tell a

good story or discuss current affairs or give advice, etc.

and our meetings are certainly lively. It is so lovely for

the village to have such a forum, we never stop learning

and it is a joy to hear individual's life experiences.

All of this is going on with a background of knitting,

sewing, etc. Indeed the members make, or not, as they

wish and everyone agrees that they very much enjoy

meeting up on a Wednesday morning. Long may it

continue.

If anyone out there would like to join us please do come

along between 9.30a.m. and 11.30a.m. on any

Wednesday. We meet in the small hall to the rear of the

Village Hall. We would love to see you.

Linda O'Reardon

SWINFORD PARISH COUNCIL

Swinford Parish Council met on Tuesday 4th June.

Playground. A meeting has been arranged with Andrew

Granger's for June 17th.

Community Fund Money. The CIC Committee stood by

their decision regarding the distribution of Community

Fund Monies and so the Paris Council ratified the

following payments:

Swinford School - £2,000 for extra computers (A further

£2,000 to be paid next year)

Swinford Village Hall - £1,850 for new windows (A

further £1,850 to be paid next year)

Swinford 2000 - £1,000 for grass cutting equipment (A

further £1,084 to be paid next year)

Swinford 2000 - £3,126.00 to keep the Community Bus

running

Youth - £500 for Rugby posts

Rowland Cricket Club - £500 for cricket coaching (this

will only be paid at the end of the season if it can be

shown that Swinford residents (adults or children) have

benefited from this coaching).

Swinford's allocation for this year was £12,480.00 so

£3,504.00 (less any administration charges) will be

carried forward to next year.

New claims are now invited for next year. Claim forms

can be obtained from the Parish Clerk.

July 2013

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Leics County Council. Withdrawal of vouchers for

residents who live over 800 meters away from an hourly

bus service. Have your say at Consultation at

www.leics.gov.uk/bus pass.

Traffic Calming. Sign is now in position in Kilworth

Road. Waiting for a post to be erected in Rugby Road so

that it can be moved between the two sites.

Planning. Mr S Morris Lambcote Farm - Erection of

agricultural building - Supported.

The minutes of the Parish Council Meetings are to be

displayed in the notice board outside the Village Hall.

Payments.

E-On £58.25

Clerks salary and expenses £202.66

Donation to Swinford School in respect of Auditor

N Waters £40.00

Lamleys £132.00

HDC Cemetery Rates 35.11

V Wagstaffe £375.00

The next meeting is on Tuesday 2nd July at 7.30pm

Swinford Village Hall

Jan Throop Parish Clerk

janthroopspc@hotmail.com

SWINFORD MOTHERS' UNION

Our meeting on the 5th June was a Garden Party held at

14 Chapel Fields. The weather was kind but as there

was quite a breeze the ladies decided to sit in the

conservatory. This obviously gave us a fabulous view of

the garden which looked very lush. The blue tits were

very busy going in and out of the nest box, the black

birds behind the log pile were getting ready to fledge,

sparrows, goldfinch and chaffinch were back and forth

to the feeder, with dunnocks, blackbirds, collared doves,

wagtails and wood pigeons clearing up the seeds

scattered by those above, and the song thrush

entertained us with its beautiful song. The sun streamed

in and we had to open the double doors to keep us from

overheating.

Afternoon tea was of finger sandwiches, sausage rolls

and scones topped with cream and strawberries. Every-

one tucked in and the convivial chat made the time go

very quickly. Before we knew it it was almost 5 o'clock

before we got around to our monthly bring and buy sale.

It was a really enjoyable afternoon and before the ladies

started to leave we made final arrangements for our

August meeting - we do not meet in July. On the 7th

August we shall be visiting Palmers Garden Centre and

this will include lunch.

Linda O'Reardon

July 2013

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9.30AM AT ALL SAINTS SWINFORD

The 9.30am worship on the second Sunday of each

month in Swinford is really taking off well and a

number of families now have a regular link with us and

are giving lots of positive feedback.

At the June service, held in school, by kind invitation of

the Head Teacher, over forty people came along to the

celebration of the Eucharist, including seventeen

children under 11!

Now that we have test-driven this service for a few

months, we are now rethinking the musical input and

encouraging more people to help lead parts of the

worship. It is likely that there will be one service each

term in school... the hall in this CofE school provides a

very attractive worship space and gives us much more

flexibility. July and August services are already being

planned...so watch this space!

Canon Chris Oxley

MANOR FARM SHOP

Free Arts & Crafts Workshops for Children

We hold free arts & crafts workshops every Thursday in

the Wheel Room for children of all ages. We offer

different activities each week that are suitable for all

abilities - including painting, collages, clay modelling,

stencilling, puppet making and lots more. The

workshops run 10.30-12.30 and there's no need to

book - just turn up! The workshops will also be running

throughout the school holidays.

We also have animals on the farm for you to visit

including our pigs, ducks, chickens, dogs, horses and

baby chicks!

Soft Fruit & Pick Your Own

Fingers crossed for some warm weather and lots of

sunshine over the coming weeks...we are hoping to have

our strawberries ready for the beginning of July and will

open our PYO shortly afterwards. With the weather

being as unpredictable as it is we can't offer a specific

date of opening yet! Please do give us a call on 01788

869002 or check our website www.manorfarmcatthorpe.

co.uk or our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/

Manorfarmshopandtearoom) for up to date news!

Caroline Ellerker

01788 869002

July 2013

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