February 2004

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News from Alby, Aldborough, Calthorpe, Erpingham, Ingworth, Thwaite & Thurgarton

CHURCH SERVICES

Holy Communion unless marked. M = matins. E = evensong.

WEEKDAY SERVICES

The Rector will gladly bring Holy Communion to anyone who is housebound if asked.

Fr Brian Faulkner, The Rectory, School Road, Erpingham 01263 768073
email: brian-faulkner@lineone.net

FROM THE RECTOR
By coincidence I'm writing these words on the day when Christians throughout the Diocese of Norwich are invited to pray for this group of parishes. As a family that seeks to keep in touch, the varied parishes of this Diocese pray daily for a different parish in turn. In the course of a year, the list will focus in our direction on at least two occasions.
There is a strength born of knowing that others are praying for you. Throughout Norfolk individuals in the comfort of their homes are for a moment including us in their devotions, or in prayers said in church buildings great and small, wherever Christians have gathered together on this Tuesday in mid-winter.
Yet true prayer is more than simply being in the know: our spiritual thoughts are not just renewed, but open to the one from whom comes all Godly action, the Saviour who already knows and cares and daily enters into communion with us.
Prayer is not a list or a form of words recited and then forgotten, but Christ himself central to our very being as responsive people.
Fr Brian

FROM THE CURATE
It was a great delight to me to begin my ministry in the benefice last year. Now, some six months later, I wish to thank everyone for the warm welcome you have given me. It's never easy settling into a new environment but your encouragement and kindness have helped enormously.
I have been making some pastoral visits, which I'm really enjoying. Working full time and with family life, I only have a limited amount of time in the parishes: I wish it could be more.
I am looking forward to the next six months and beyond, hopefully getting to know all of you better. John Smith

FROM THE REGISTERS
Funerals
At St Mary's Erpingham
10th December Ruth Alston
18th December Guy Hamilton
At St Mary's Aldborough
12th December Hugh Brandon-Cox
19th December Frances Clark

GROUP SERVICES
Candlemas, Sunday 1st February, 10.00, at Aldborough Church
This will be a Christingle combined with a Communion Service
Everybody welcome, young and old. There will be activities for children during the service
Sunday 29th February, 10.00, at Ingworth Church
As usual when there is a 5th Sunday there will be just one act of worship for our six parishes on this day. This is a chance to meet and pray together.

The Bishop's Springboard Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, direct our diocese to walk your way in the world,
so that, travelling together,
we may be schooled in our faithfulness
to the path that leads to your new and abundant life. Amen.

TRAILBLAZERS
Sunday 8th February at 11.00 in the Church Room on Aldborough Green
CPAK (10 - 14s Group) Some members of this group will be enjoying the facilities at Horstead during the last weekend of the month.
(Would anyone aged 14 or under like to work out the next year when there will be a 5th Sunday in February? Entries in an envelope please, to Ruth Bayes at Chesterfield House, The Green, Aldborough, Norwich NR11 7AA.) Small prize for the first correct answer opened.

CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
Meeting in Aldborough Church Room on Tuesday 24 February at 2.30.
The group will be exploring the subject of 'Healing Prayer' with the help of the Revd Brian Faulkner. The afternoon will include a short Healing Service.
This is an open meeting and all will be made welcome. [Contact: Pauline Hill, 768738]

DR GUY HAMILTON
Many people have been saddened by Guy's death. A dedicated and caring family doctor, he practised in Surrey until his retirement to Ingworth, where he at once made his mark in the local community and church, becoming treasurer to the PCC and playing the organ.
He enjoyed golf at Cromer and organised many happy events there.
Above all he was a loving and much loved husband, father and grandfather. The affection and esteem in which he was held was demonstrated by the full church at his funeral and the collection and donations for his daughter's charity in Afghanistan amounted to nearly £2500.
As Sarah writes, "It is typical of him that even in dying he helped other people." A fitting tribute to a lovely man. H.S.

ALDBOROUGH & THURGARTON WOMEN'S INSTITUTE
Meeting on Wednesday 18th February at 2.30 in the Church Room.
Mr N. Olley:- The life of a baker

ALDBOROUGH PARISH COUNCIL
Next meeting on Monday 2nd February at 7.30 in the CommunityCentre.
>From the meeting on the 7th January:
1) Thwaite bridge - signs are to be installed as soon as possible but road plate 'SLOW' signs will not be done until after April 2004.
2) Our parish beat officer is now PC 507 Collyer based at Cromer Police Station.
3) The Parish Council has taken up the matter of reduced bus services on certain routes with NCC after complaints from parishioners.
4) Black bin bags should be delivered by 31/1/04. Recycling bags will also be delivered by then, or they can be collected from the NNDC Office in Cromer at any time
5) Parking around and in some cases on the Green is becoming more of a problem.
Any suggestions for solving this to any Parish Councillor please.

ALDBOROUGH GARDEN CLUB
On Thursday 19th February at 7.30 in the Church Room
Mr Jim Wilson will give an illustrated talk entitled 'Canada and its plants'.

ALDBOROUGH VILLAGE HISTORY SOCIETY
(Apologies for the mix-up of dates in the last edition of In Touch. This is the definitive version)
Saturday 28th February
Keith Skipper
will be Guest Speaker
at a Dinner
in Aldborough Community Centre
7.00 for 7.30
He will be bringing
A Load of Very Old Norfolk Squit
Tickets £7.50, from the Post Office, Spar, or Committee members
(Numbers are strictly limited, so don't delay!)
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NB. The School Reunion planned for October has now been postponed to October 2005.

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ALDBOROUGH PLAYERS PROUDLY PRESENT
DRACULA, THE PANTOMIME
Thursday, Friday, Saturday,
5th, 6th, 7th February
Prices: Children £2 (all performances)
Adults £2 (Thursday); £4.00 (Friday & Saturday)
Tickets on sale from Spar and the Post Office `
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ALDBOROUGH CHURCH ROOM
A substantial part of the essential repairs needed took place in the week before Christmas. The weather was horrendous - but there was no doubt about where the rain was coming in!
Outside redecoration will be undertaken in the Spring.
Money given to Church Room funds in memory of Dora Leonard, at her funeral and subsequently, amounted to over £700. Funds have been further augmented by a gift of over £180 from the proceeds of the Road Runners New Year's Eve party. Many thanks to everyone.
Parking outside the Church Room can cause problems, especially in the rainy season when drivers naturally try to avoid mud and the deeper puddles. Please remember that neighbours must have access at all times to their drives and turning space. Please park considerately.

FROM THE EDITOR'S POSTBAG
Queenie Douglas 'would like to thank Terry Holdgate, Susan Guise, my family and friends, and the Chapel for prayers and cards. I'm sorry that there were some who didn't get a Christmas card this year.'

Keith and Yvonne, the new licensees of the Black Boys in Aldborough, would like to say a very big thank you for all the support that the villagers have given since they took over in November last year. Despite there being no heating and many other 'teething problems' everyone has been really supportive. A new heating system has now been installed and it is hoped there will be regular monthly quiz nights from January. All will be welcome.
Many regulars can now be found on the dart board most evenings and they are
hoping to join a league when the new season starts. In the meantime, any challenges
for a friendly game are most welcome.
There is also a pool table available in the upstairs function room.
For further details on any of the above contact Keith or Yvonne on 01263 768086

'VALENTINE SPECIAL'
The next Dance Party for 7 - 11 year olds will be held in
Aldborough Community Centre on Friday 13 February 7- 8.30 pm
Entrance 50p. Sweets & drinks available

ERPINGHAM with CALTHORPE WOMEN'S INSTITUTE
Friday 27th February: Jean Cook and Maurice Phillips will bring Songs and Magic to the Annual Dinner. Contact any Committee member for further details - Mrs Melville, 768279, Mrs Duffield, 761356, Mrs King, 768655, Mrs Freestone, 732742.

ERPINGHAM VILLAGE HALL 200 CLUB
Recent results: £10 £5
8-12-03 48 T. Mollard 199 P. Saggers
15-12-03 68 G. Eagles 7 L. Brett
22-12-03 195 Mr & Mrs Warner 160 S. Jex
29-12-03 15 J. Sizeland 125 P. Walton

TABLE TOP SALE
Saturday 6 March
Erpingham Village Hall
9.30 - 12 00
(setting up from 9.00)
£5 a table pre-booked
before 5 March
£7 on the day (if available)
Free entry Cake Stall
Refreshments
To book a table or for contributions to the Village Hall Stall please ring 768209 or 768655
In aid of Village Hall funds

GIFT AID - more questions
I only pay tax at 10% - can I take part in Gift Aid? Yes, provided you don't give too much! Tax is refunded at basic rate, and provided that enough tax is paid to cover this amount on your gift, that is all that matters.
What about higher rate taxpayers? They can claim additional tax back for themselves on their own self assessment forms.
If I have signed a gift aid declaration for the church I normally go to and give by the envelope scheme, can I use those envelopes when there is a Group service at another church? No. Each church is a separate charity and keeps its own tax accounts. Why not ask for a gift aid form or a 'one-off' envelope at the other churches in the benefice? Even if you only go there once a year the value of your gift could be increased by almost a third.

On March 5th, 2004
'SHOCKWAVE is a 24 hour global youth prayer event - connect with young people across the planet - pray for the persecuted Church - see God Act'
'Shockwave' is part of the ministry of the 'Open Doors' Charity
You can register your interest as an individual or a group. To get an information pack telephone 01993 885411, email: emmaw@opendoorsuk.org or visit the website on www.gounderground.org

THANKS for donations recently received from readers in Erpingham, and an anonymous donation of cash and postage stamps.

THE NEXT ISSUE Copy please by Sunday 15th February.(Time is tight that week, so please don't be late.)
Editor: Ruth Bayes, Chesterfield House, The Green, Aldborough, Norwich NR11 7AA. 01263 768063.
bayesaldborough@supanet.com