A few Church matters .....

Dennis Offer is retiring as Church Warden at St James’s.  A big thank you to Dennis for all his hard work in saving and looking after our Church.

To keep our Church going a replacement Warden is needed.  The duties are not onerous – just to keep an eye on the Church and to attend some meetings.  If this is something you would be interested in undertaking please have a chat with Dennis or the Rev Hancock.

Secondly, the Church needs an annual Spring Clean and this is being arranged for Saturday, 10 May at 10 am.  If you have a couple of hours to spare on that morning please pop along to the Church and help out.  There will be jobs inside and out so bring along rubber gloves or gardening tools!  Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided!

Future Church services  …..

Saturday, 1 March at 10 am with Pinewood School

Saturday, 5 April at 10 am – Mothering Sunday Service (cupcakes for Mums!)

Saturday, 19 April at 10 am – Easter Service (Easter eggs for children!)

Saturday, 3 May at 10 am (Coffee after the service)

Saturday, 10 May at 10 am – Spring clean (Tea, Coffee & biscuits)

Saturday, 7 June at 10 am (Coffee after the service)

Saturday, 5 July at 10 am – special service for St James’s Day (25^th July) and World War I Commemoration (Coffee after the service)

Happy 80th Birthday to .....

lovely Doreen Titcombe!  Hope you had a great day Doreen - we still miss you in Silver Street!

Dear Villagers ...

You will have seen the devastation of the floods in the West Country, in the news. Many farmers will not recover from this terrible situation and our vicar has suggested that the entire deanery’s church collections tomorrow are donated to the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institute, which supports farmers.

As our church doesn’t have another service this month, I am sending this to the entire village to ask if we could make our own donation as we live in a rural community with very close links to the farming fraternity. I am happy to co-ordinate this but will not be knocking on doors!! We have a post box before our gate, on the wall at The Manse and, if you would like to make a donation, small or large, please place any money/cheques in an envelope and put it in the box (it’s emptied a couple of times a day). I will send this on in the hope we can do our small part in helping these people get through this dire situation.

Regards,

Dennis Offer

First 50/50 winners for 2014 are ...

70 Alex Wallace £20
9 Carolyn Francis £15
26 Martin Bazen £10.50

Congratulations!

Have you heard of smartwater ?

It's a clear liquid for marking possessions and valuables and is a bit like DNA.  It offers a way of detecting stolen goods if they are discovered which often then brings about their recovery and the capture and arrest of the thief.  The system usually costs £60 but in areas which have been targeted by thieves the Police are offering the marking kits for £15.

PC Chris Linzey, Neighbourhood Supervisor, will be in the Village on 4 February visiting properties and offering smartwater at the reduced cost.  

For more information on the product visit www.smartwater.com and for more information on security and crime reduction visit www.thamesvalley.police.uk.

50/50

It's not too late to buy some 50/50 tickets.  In fact, it would be great if you could - if you haven't already!  Sue has now sold 85 tickets and it would be fantastic to make it 100 - so go on, treat yourself and your family and friends - 2014 could be your lucky year!!! 

First draw for 2014 will take place on 31st January!

GOOD LUCK!

Tickets are available from Sue Hayes, Cerney Lodge.

Another burglary .....

took place yesterday afternoon (Monday, 6 January) in Stepping Stone Lane between the hours of 2.30 pm and 4.30 pm.  The intruders got in by breaking a side window.  If you saw anyone suspicious in the Village yesterday please contact the Police on the non emergency number 101.