LODDON VALLEY LINK

December 2006 and January 2007

The Parish Newsletter

of
Sherfield on Loddon, Stratfield Saye
and Hartley Wespall with Stratfield Tugis.
No . 39 1
 SUNDAY SER VICES FOR DECEMBER 2006
Sunday 3r d DEC EMBER ADVENT SUNDAY
10.00am Holy Communion St Leonard’s, Sherfield
10.00am Short Family Service St Mary’s Stratfield Saye *
4.00pm Evens ong & Communion St Mary’s Hartley Wes pall
Sunday 10th DEC EMBER ADV ENT 2
10.00am Mornin g Worship St Leonard’s Sherfield
10.00am Sunday Club in the Liddel Hall Sherfield
11.15am Holy Communion(BCP) S t Mary’s Stratfield S aye*
4.30pm Carols & Christingles St Mary’s Hartley Wespall
Sunday 17th DEC EMBER ADV ENT 3

10.00am Family Communion St Leonard’s, Sherfield

5.00pm Carol Service & Nativity St Mary’s Stratfield Saye*
6.00pm Carol Service St Leonard’s Sherfield

SUNDAY CHRIS TMAS EVE

10.00am Holy Communion St Leonard’s, Sherfield
with Carols & Readings
4.00pm Crib Service St Leonard’s Sherfield
6.00pm Holy Communion (BCP) S t Mary’s Hartley Wespall
11.00pm Holy Communion St Leonard’s S herfield

MONDAY CHRIS TMAS DAY

10.00am Family Service St Mary’s Hartley Wespall
10.30am Family Service St Leonard’s Sherfield
10.30am Holy Communion (BCP) S t Mary’s Stratfield S aye*

Sunday 31st DEC EMBER C HRISTMAS 1

10.00am Benefice Holy Communion (BCP)
St Mary’s Hartley Wespall

1
 SUNDAY SERVICES FOR JANUARY 2007
Sunday 7 th JANUARY EP IPHANY
10.00am Holy Communion St Leonard’s S herfield
10.00am Family Service St Mary’s Stratfield Saye*
4.00pm Evens ong & Communion S t Mary’s Hartley Wespall

Sunday 14th JANUARY EP IPHAN Y 2

10.00am Mornin g Worship St Leonard’s , Sherfield
with Childrens’ Sunday Club in the Liddell Hall
11.15am Holy Communion (BCP) S t Mary’s Stratfield S aye*
Sunday 21st JANUARY EP IPHAN Y 3
10.00am Holy Communion St Leonard’s S herfield
4.00pm Evensong St Mary’s Hartley Wespall
Wednes day 24 th 4.00 pm Toddlers at S t Leonard’s Sherfield
…….see details on page 8

Sunday 28th JANUARY EP IPHAN Y 4

8.00am Holy Communion (BCP) S t Mary’s Hartley Wespall
10.00am Family Service St Leonard’s Sherfield
11.15am Matins (BCP) St Mary’s Stratfield Saye*
Sunday 4 th FEBRUARY 4th before LENT
10.00am Holy Communion St Leonard’s Sherfield
10.00am S hort Family Communion S t Mary’s Stratfield S aye*
4.00pm Evensong & Communion S t Mary’s Hartley Wes pall

____________ _____ _________ _____ _

[* Drive up close to the white gates, which will open automatically]

( BCP= Book of Common Prayer )

2
 DEC BREACH LANE CHAPEL JAN
SUN 3 10.30a m F amily Worship and S unday School SUN 7

SUN 3 8pm B ible S tudy SUN 7

SAT 9 11a m Disabled C hristian F ellow ship C hristm as C elebra-

tion at A rgy lle R oa d C hurch, R eading
SUN 10 10.30a m F amily Worship and S unday School SUN 14

SUN 10 5pm I nform al Worshi p w ith B ible R eading M a ra thon SUN 14

WE D 13 7.30pm M id-Week Get T ogether – Topic to be announced T HU 18

F RI 15 7.30pm GAME S Ev ening F RI 19

2.30pm Disabled C hristian F ellow ship at F rim ley Road SAT 20

SUN 17 10.30a m F amily Worship and S unday School SUN 21

SUN 17 8pm B ible S tudy SUN 21

7.30pm B ible S tudy T HU 25

10.30a m O pen M orning for T ea r F und SAT 27

SUN 24 10.30a m F amily Worship and S unday School SUN 28

SUN 24 4.30pm C a ndlelight C arols Serv ice a t T adley United Re-

formed C hurch
MO N 25 10.30a m C hristma s D ay Serv ice

8pm B ible S tudy at C ross House, B ram ley MO N 29

SUN 31 10.30a m F amily Worship and S unday School

plus
Every

T ues day 10.30a m O pen M orning at C hapel (please phone to che ck )

T ues day 7pm T uesda y C lub a t A shw ood C entre, Wink lebury
Wed nes - 2pm Health Walk in Ba singstoke area
day

Co ntacts:-
Rev . C hris Ru ssell 012 76 2 146 9
Geo ff Bel sh am 012 56 88 2534 and 079 79 85 42 53

3
1 John 4 : 14 &15
We hav e seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to
be the Sav io ur of the wor ld . If any one ackno wledges that Jesus
is t he Son of God, God liv es in him and he in Go d. ( NIV Bible )

Lord Jesus C hr ist,

As we recall at Christmas t ime y our birth in Bet hle hem, we remember
that you came to set people free and to offer a new relat ionship with G od
break ing down the barr iers w hich keep us apart, bearing the price of o ur
disobed ience and open ing u p t he way to life.
Yet, Lord yo ur love was reje cted an d yo ur grace ignored. Today we are
no better each of us g uilty, day after day, of s purn ing y our gu ida nce
forgetting y our go odness and abandon ing your way . We talk of
commit ment but our faith is weak, we cla im to be a new creation but it is
the old self that still holds s way . We marvel that, des pite it all the wor ld ’s
hostility and our ow n faithlessness still you reach out in love, never g iving
up, refusin g to write us off. We thank y ou that y ou are always ready to
offer a fresh start, a ne w beginning to any one willing to receive it. Lo rd
hav e mercy and teac h us to re ceive y ou in glad ness.
In yo ur na me we pray. A men.

i Giv e thanks for those who gave of their time and ener gy to make our
Christ mas festiv ities an d our C hr ist mas worship successfu l a nd fulfilling.
i Pray for all families as we app roac h the h oliday seaso n. May they have
safe journeys a nd be united in their love for each other.
i Pray for those w ho c ou ld be alone at Chr ist mas that their need of
fellowsh ip and friendship will be recogn ised by those around them.
i Pray for the ho mele ss and those wit hout food or water o r shelter this
Christ mas that the world will not forget them.
i Pray for the wor ld so fu ll of anx ieties and worr ies, uncerta in of the
future and unsure of the way for ward.
i Pray that the New Year will be a time of ne w beginn ings for Iraq and
Palest ine and for a n end to t he terrorism and killin g.
i Pray for wor ld lea ders t hat they may be peop le of visio n and peace.

4
 Parish Registers
Funerals
Arthur REA DING 8.11. 06 Sherf ield
Sue HA NINGTON 22.1 1.06 Sherfie ld

Sound System at St Mary’s, Stratfield Saye

Latest News
By the time you read this magazine an application, accompanied
by plans and equipment design, will have been submitted to the
Diocese. The cost is going to be in the region of £3,000 and
the PCC are very grateful to those of you w ho have kindly
promised financial support for this project. If anyone w ould
like to make a gift please contact Robert Craig (treasurer)
01256 882253.

Thanksgiving & Re-Dedication of the

Spire at St Leonard’s Church, Sherfield
10.00am Sunday 11th February 2007
A service of Thanksgiving and Re-dedication will be held at St
Leonard’s Church, following the completion of the restoration
project. The Bishop of Basingstoke, The Rt Revd Trevor
Willmott, w ill be leading the service and we extend a warm
welcome to all w ho would like to be present. The congregation
would especially like to take this opportunity of publicly
expressing their thanks to those of you who have so
generously given your support in any way.

Revd Bob Politt

6
 ANNUAL TOY SERVICE

Thank you to everybody who kindly donated gifts at the Toy Service
this year. Thes e have been passed on to needy children and families
through The Friday Club and the Bas ingstoke Women’s Refuge. In the
past, having met some of the mother’s who have received your gifts I
can only s ay that it is very moving to hear how appreciative they are. A
big thank you to everybody who has shared joy with needy local
children this Chris tmas .
Revd Bob Politt
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Toddler Time
St Leonard’s Church, Sherfield
There will be no Toddler Time in December but
there will be a Crib Service for
children and families at
4.00pm on Christmas Eve.
The next Toddler Time will be on
Wednesday 24th January 2007
4.00-4.30pm
Nursery Rhymes, Story, Prayer.
Healthy refreshments for the toddlers.
Meet on the red carpet in church.
All welcome!
Contact Revd Bob Politt
for information - 882209.
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 St Leonard’s Church Prayer Meeting
8.00-9.00pm Tuesday 12 th December
at Holt Cottage (off Bramley Road)
the home of Ann & Steve Hemmings
For details ring:
Ann or Steve: 882523 or Bob Politt: 882209

Men’s Breakfast in January 2007

Another Men’s Breakfast, following the popularity of the last
two, to be held on Saturday 27th January 2007, 8.30-
10.00am. The venue will be Lawn Farmhouse, just opposite
the Wellington Arms Hotel, our hosts Drs Gill & John
Williams.
Following a hearty breakfast our guest speaker will be Dr
Kevin Powell, who is head of research for Gillette wet razors.
He w ill be sharing his journey of faith in Christ, and giving
away free razors to all who turn up!
RSVP to Revd Bob Politt (01256 882209) or John Williams
(01256 882705). Don’t forget to put this date in your diary.
Bob Politt

CONGRATULATIONS
Those who knew the late Revd Neville &
Nan Thomas (former rector of this benefice) will be pleased
to hear that Rebecca, married to their son Matthew, has given
birth to a baby boy, Jonah, born on 23rd October 2006.

10
Editorial
Our feature article this month has been written
again by Revd Bob Politt (pages 24-27). He has
prov ided a v ery interesting, informative and
helpful introduction to Christianity. If you want to
know more about the Christia n Faith perhaps you’d like to
join an Alpha Course in the New Year. Please contact Bob
on 01256 882209 for details.

In our next magazine in February, Revd. Canon Dr. David

Williams will be writing our feature article about his
experiences as a Christian missionary in Kenya.

Once again for the Christmas edition, we have produced

a centre page pull-out supplement which details all the
ev ents and services over the Christmas period, with page
references back to the magazine. Hopefully you will find it
useful during this very busy tim e.

Sheena Archer is the editor for the February issue. Please

can you send any items to her by at least 16th January, but
the sooner the better. Contact details on page 49.

Wishing all our readers a very Happy Christmas and Joyful

New Year.
Claire Osborne (Editor)

Please No te
i The M an a ge ment Co mmittee of the Loddon Link ca n not a cc ept for
public a tion a ny item rec eived a n on ymou sly. P lea se supply your na me an d
a ddre s s with ma terial you wish to be conside red for pub lic a tion.

i Ann ou nc e ment s, invitation s o r a dvertise ment s c a nn ot be ac cepted fro m

third pa rties. On ly someone direc tly involved in the even t shou ld sub mit
c opy for con sidera tion for pub lic a tion.

i P lea se note t ha t t he Co mmittee ca n not b e hel d re spon sible for the

reliability o r q ua lity of an y work or s ervice provide d by a dvertise rs.
12
 SHERFIELD SUNDAY CLUB
The S her field Su nda y Clu b is a ime d a t a ll c hi ldren f ro m sc hool
a ge upwa rd who wan t learn a bou t the Ch ristia n fait h in a fu n,
light-hea rte d wa y . There’ ll be sin gin g, ga mes an d a ctivities a n d
the oppor tu nity to make lots of frien d s whilst lea rn ing abou t Jesu s. Every thing
is orga nised ac cordin g to dif feren t a ge group s – cu rrent ly we ran ge fro m 4 to 1 3.
The Su nday Clu b wil l ta ke pla ce in the Liddel l Ha ll on the secon d Su n da y o f eve ry
mon th. Times wil l be from 9 :45 to 11:15 , en ablin g grown-u ps
to go to c hu rc h.

Nex t me etings: 1 0th Dec ember 0 6 an d 1 4t h Jan ua ry 07

For fu rt her in for ma tion c on tac t:

Ru th P owel l 0 11 8 93 3 13 12 Ma rtin a Nowro tek 8 84 159

Christmas is coming
KEN’S RAFFLE IS NOW
OPEN
at
THE SHOP
Sherfield on Loddon
Yes it’s that time of the year again,
when we all want to help those who help us.
All proceeds, as usual, will go to St. Michael’s Hospice.
Please help to raise a record total for a very worthy
cause.
Call in and buy your tickets.

A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY

The 2007 Sherfield Fete will be held on the Village Green on Satur-
day 16th June. Planning is underway for a bigger and better fete than
ever. If you would like a stall or to help in any way, please phone
Jane Brydges on 881979.
14
 Di recti on s to Ha rtl e y Hou se :
Ta ke the A 33 to wa rd s Rea di n g
a s far a s th e T otal Ga rag e.
Tu rn Ri g ht at the g ara ge .
Fol low th e roa d pa st the Cri ckete rs Pu b.
Ha rlte y Ho u se i s la rge ye ll o w house
o n the righ t wi th th e dou ble en tra nce 16
a s you ro un d the b en d.
 Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal
Thank you S herfield . By your amazing
generosity, in 2006 we have raised a record
£1,454.60p
Particularly pleasing is the increased number
of Gift Ai d envelopes , ens uring a subs tantial
amount of reclaimed tax to come. (c.£97 extra)
A huge ‘Thanks’ to all collectors, counters and
local businesses for your great support.
Na talie La rner Ho n. Loca l Org aniser

Thank You Sherfie ld for

he lping to keep this vital
work going strong.

'Christingle Services & Childrens' Society Box Holders

Th e Chi ldrens Soci ety has spent the pas t 125 years creati ng posi -
tiv e chang e for chi ldren. S adly th e work a mong chi ldr en is needed
more than ever today. Income from Chris ti ngle Se rvi ces rai ses
over £1 milli on per year. T he money gi ven through collec ti ng boxes
also tops a million pounds. The ti me i s approaching for the Annual
Ho me Col lec ti ng Box em ptyi ng in Fe bruary. When chi l dren are so
much in our mi nd s a t Ch ri s tmas plea se remem ber th e dusadvan-
tag ed chi ldren the Soci ety suppo rts. Please put some ex tra i nto
your box and please suppo rt the Chri s ti ngle and Cri b serv i ces at
Chris tmas from whi ch par t of the collec ti on wi ll b e giv en to the
Soci ety.

Thank you on b ehalf of the chi ldren. Nevi lle Bi den.

18
 Bramley Scout Christmas Post

As in previous years , the Bramley Scout Group will be

offering a Chris tmas card collection and delivery service
within the villages of Bramley and Sherfield on Loddon to raise funds
to enable our Beavers, Cubs and Scouts to enjoy a variety of activities
next year.

Collection boxes will be s ituated in The Shop in Sherfield, The Bak-

ery, The Doctor’s Surgery and The Village Hall in Bramley. They will
be there from Friday 1s t December until Tuesday 12th December.
Pleas e address each envelope clearly and place in the bozes together
with a donation of 10p per card. Our local Cubs and Scouts
(supervised by a parent!) will deliver your cards after 12th December.

Thank you for s upporting this service and a ‘Very Happy Chris tmas ’
from the Bramley Scout Group!

Loca l Bus Services Change s

Stage coach – Se rvice Revis ions - 3 De ce m ber 2006
Sta gecoach is t o revis e a n umber of services in and around Basingst oke
on and f ro m Su nday December 3 2 006. The follow ing are t he lines that
aff ec t our paris h:

Line 4 Lychpit – Basingstok e

The rou te nu mber 4 w ill b e reintroduced for this new s erv ice w hich w ill
replac e the e quivale nt sect ion of rout e w ithdraw n from service 44. The
f requency w ill be ho urly Mond ay – Sa turday dayt ime.

Line 44 Bas ings toke – Sher fie ld – Br am le y

The s ec tion of route betw een Basings to ke an d Ly chpit w ill be w ithdraw n
and replac ed by a new s erv ice (s ee Line 4 ab ov e). The s ervic e w ill
inc orp orate the new development at Sherf ield Park w hich w ill b e served
every 20 minutes during the dayt ime Mond ay – Saturday. These
journeys w ill be funded f rom Dev eloper’s Contributions . The f requenc y
to Sherf ield o n Loddon and Br amley w ill re main at every 60 minutes.

20
 EXTRACTS from INSPECTOR’S REPORT
Gra ngew ood Indepen de nt Boa rdi ng Sc ho ol for G irls. Nov e mbe r 1 92 7.
ENGLIS H w ith E LO CUTIO N an d DRAM A
Th e Lod do n P la yers, scri pte d by De ni se Dee ga n and di recte d b y Sha ro n
He wi n s, assisted b y Chri s Horton , i n the play, “Dai sy P ul l s i t O ff”, p erforme d th e
fast m ovi ng pl ot wi th sup erb ch aracteri sa ti on a nd cl e ar voi ce s. Th ey se t th e
p la y a t She rfi eld Scho ol for two p erforma nces on 17 th /18 th No ve mb er 20 06 ,
p ersu ad i ng th ei r ca pa ci ty a udi en ce th at the ca st we re i nd ee d the sta ff an d g al s
o f Gra ng ewoo d Scho ol i n 192 7. (Al e x Th omas, Ja ne B ryd ge s, Ch ris Ho rto n,
Be cky Th o ma s, Jaq ui Mo rri s, Al i son Watts, Ol we n Wri gh t, Ali ce G ru nd y, Jan e
Torr, Da n y Sp ur rie r, A nthe a Spu rri e r a nd Ni ck Robi nson )
GAMES and OU TDOO R A CTIV I TIES
Ke y a sp ect s o f the mo ra l d evelo pmen t o f you ng l adie s.
A b ri lli an tl y ch oreo g ra phed on-sta ge ho ckey ma tch, wi th full co mmen ta ry, wa s
i nn ovati vel y a nd amu sin gl y po rtrayed by th e “j ol l y hocke y sticks ga l s”.
Th e p roximi ty of the se a cli ffs p ro ve d h azard ou s, bu t th e i nsp ecto rs o b served
a n he roi c rescue du ri n g thei r visi t. A u ni q ue so lu ti on to the p ro bl e m of bul lyi ng .
NE EDLE WO RK
Wh i lst so ck da rn i ng was the o nl y ski ll d emo nstrated , th e girl s a nd mi stre sse s
we re re spe cta bl y a tti red by co stu me mi stre ss Be cky Tho ma s. T he y were see n
i n a pp ro pri ate unifo rm s, some wh at to the d i sa pp oin tmen t o f ce rtai n i nspe cto rs
wh o h ad an ti cipa te d q ui te a d i ffe ren t spe cta cl e from th e l ocal l ad ies in wi gs an d
g ym sl ip s!
MUSIC
Th e i n sp ectors fo un d hymn si ng i ng to be of a hi gh sta n da rd . T he si ng ing o f
trad iti on al airs wa s of si mil a r g ra de , wi th th e te ache r ri gh tly admo ni shi ng a pu pil
for an “o ff key” (b ri lli a nt an d d el i be ratel y so !) ren de rin g o f “T he A sh Grove”.
Th e sch o ol ’s re si de nt pi a no a cco mpa nist (Mu si cal di recto r—Bri an Arche r), a lso
comp ose d the m usi c for th e sch o ol so ng whi ch wa s th e culmi na tion o f th e
i nspe cto r’s vi si t, su ng en thu si a sti ca lly an d to the sa me hi gh sta nd ard the
i nspe cto rs h ad o bse rved , i n al l a sp ects o f th e scho o l, th rou gh ou t th ei r vi sit.
BUILDING MAIN TE NANCE
In g en eral the buil di ng s a nd d eco ra tion was fo un d to b e i n a se rvi ce ab l e sta te,
a tte nd ed b y Da ren Hew ins, S ha ro n Hewin s, Ni ck Ro bin so n, Ja x Nau di , Gi ll
Fea ro n, an d S all y Hen ne ssey. S ome p anelli ng nee ds atten tion a s i t re ve al e d
some in sta bi li ty wh en assau lte d by mo re bu xo m pupil s. Al thou gh , a t o ne poi nt
Da i sy wa s p lu ng ed in to da rkn ess, th e scho o l’s u se of el e ctri cal b y Pau l O’G ra dy
a nd Sh aro n He wi n s, rather th an ga s l i gh tin g i s l a udabl e.
ADMINIS TRA TION
Th e scho ol is cap ab ly admin istere d by Na tali e L arne r, S all y Hen ne ssey, Li z
Bu ckl an d and Chri s Horton wh o p re p are the prosp ectu s a n d run th e offi ce .
RE FE CTORY
Th e i n sp ectorate a pp reciated the p rovisi on of a bar an d ho t be ve ra g es whi ch
a dd ed to a ve ry po siti ve an d e nj oya bl e e xp eri en ce. Th ey wi sh to th an k a ll th e
h el pe rs wh o ma de the se po ssi bl e.
Chief ins pe ct or. S he ena Arc he r 22
The cast of ‘Daisy Pulls It Off’ which was performed at
Sherfield School on 17th and 18th November.

23
 CHRISTIANITY
Last month I wrote an article about Is lam to help those of us who know
little or nothing of the Islamic religion to understand s ome of the
bas ics. This month I have written an article on Christianity in a s imilar
style for thos e of you who may have little or no understanding of the
Chris tian Faith. This article coincides with the major Christian festival
of Christmas , which for me, as a Christian, overrides what I would
describe as the manic commercialisation and self-indulgence of this
season. Unlike Islam, the Chris tian mess age is that God in person has
come to us through a babe born in Bethlehem and died upon a
criminal’s cross in Jerusalem. Today that man is alive and we can know
the wonder of his pres ence and power at work in us, as we are willing
to trust him. Let’s take a look at what Chris tians believe.

Chris tianity takes its name from its founder, Jes us Chris t, born
approximately 2000 years ago to a girl called Mary, a virgin, in a
village called Bethlehem, a few miles from Jerusalem. He was brought
up as a carpenter in Nazareth, in the northern part of modern day Israel.
Jes us was a Jew but his life and death radically challenged the Jewis h
interpretation of their Holy Scriptures.

Chris tians know the Jewish Scriptures as the Old Tes tament. They
contain the 10 Commandments and promises given by God. Like the
Jews , Christians believe that there is one God, and that God has
made hims elf known to us through his laws and by speaking his mind
through people called prophets. Jews and Chris tians call this
revelation, i.e. knowledge about God that can be known only becaus e
God has told us . The Bible is a book that reveals to us knowledge of
what God is like e.g. God is moral, just, he made us and cares about us,
we are made in God’s image – we can think, communicate, create etc.

The New Testament cons ists of the Gospels , letters written by early
Chris tians and a book called Revelation, about the destiny of the world.
The Bible is authoritative for Christians because it contains a record
about Jesus Chris t and his teaching, and many of the events in the
Gospels were prophesied in the Old Testament.
24
The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are four documents
recording eyewitness accounts of Jesus ’ teaching and miracles , but
mainly the events of the las t week of his life, his death and
res urrection. They are not biographies and there are many respected
ancient documents s upporting the Gospel accounts . The word ‘gospel’
means Good News and reflects the message that Jesus came to bring us
peace with God.

The Cross and resurrection are two key events in the life of Jesus
Chris t that are central to what Chris tians believe. Jesus was crucified
(nailed to a cross) on which he died, innocent of any crime but because
his teaching and claims angered the Jewish authorities of his day. Three
days later his terrified dis ciples s aw him and the wound marks on his
body, and they ate and spoke with him for a period of 40 days before he
ascended to heaven.

Forgiveness is at the heart of Christianity becaus e Christians believe

that human nature has fallen from what God intended when he created
us, and so for us to have peace with God, who is holy, we need to be
forgiven. Christians believe that Jesus died on a cross for our s ins , to
renew our relationship with God.

The dis cip les of Jesus taught that he was the s pecial Mess iah or Chris t
(which means ‘anointed one’) spoken about in the Jewish Scriptures.
More than this they claimed that Jesus was God hims elf, come to us in
human form, known as the incarnation. The wonder and mystery of
the Christian mess age is that God was in Jes us when he died on the
cross and ros e again to new life. Jesus referred to God as his Father,
and after his resurrection the disciples realised that Jes us was God. A
few weeks later the dis ciples received the gift of the Holy S pirit and
recognis ed that God had come to dwell within them through his Spirit.
Today Chris tians believe that God’s Holy Spirit continues to help them
follow and serve Jesus . Hence, Chris tians affirm that there is One God
but that he has been revealed to us in time and history as three pers ons.
In a s imilar way to H20 being experienced as steam, water and ice, and
yet one substance, so Christians s ee God the Father as Creator, Jesus

25
as God our Saviour and the Holy Spirit as God dwelling within us to-
day. This belief is called the Trinity.

Salvation is a term Chris tians us e to des cribe what God has done for us
in Jesus . This is best summed up in a verse from the Gospel of John:“
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that
whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Christi-
anity isn’t about old buildings, vicars in funny robes , guitars , hymns,
prayers , being goody two-shoes , going to church or trying to live a
good life. Chris tians believe it is about a personal relations hip with
the God who created us and who loves us so much that he s ent his Son
to die for us, and his Holy Spirit to dwell within us .

Jes us gave two signs to all who would be his disciples. Baptism with
water in the name of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, is a
s ign of repentance and turning back to God. Bread and wine is a s ign
to remind us that Jesus died for our sins, and is called communion, a
s ign of daily trust and commitment to Jesus .

Dis covering More

If you want to know more about the Christian Faith perhaps you’d like
to join an Alpha Course in the New Year. Pleas e contact me on 01256
882209 for details .

Chris tmas Joy

In this article I have tried to present the bas ic tenets of the Christian
faith, however there is something more that needs to be said. I was fa-
miliar with mos t of what has been written above but it wasn’t until I
came into close contact with Christian friends that I discovered that
they had a dimens ion to their lives that I lacked. God to them was a

26
daily reality and their faith came out of a personal relationship with
God, through Jesus Chris t. It was only when I took the risk to s tart
praying to Christ and to trust him that I dis covered the joy of his
presence at work in my own life.

At our carol s ervice we read that wonderful pass age from John’s Gos-
pel: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and
the Word was God…In him was life, and the life was the light of men…
to all who received Him, who believed in His name, he gave power to
become children of God… the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,
full of grace and truth…” John 1: 1-14

That anyone should love us is a mystery, but how wonderful it is to be

loved and accepted. The Good News of the Christian Gospel is that
God loves us and is wait ing for us to receive him and discover his
love for ourselves . A mids t all the razzmatazz of this season may you
discover the joy of the angels, the shepherds and the wis e men, by
welcoming Jesus, the Son of God into the s table of your heart. When
invited he will come.
Chris tmas joy to you all!

O holy Child of Bethlehem!

Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in,
Be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel!

Revd Robert Politt - Rector

27
 Christmas
Celebration Day S herfie ld Vil lage H al l

Saturday 16 December 10:30-3:30

Free Entry and free visit to Father Christmas
Last minute gifts, carols, lunch, & stay for tea & mince pies
And in the evening at 7:30 return
for a traditional Christmas Concert
with our friends
The Basingstoke Concert Band
Tickets £5.00 (£3.00concs.) incl. tea/coffee & mince pie
Box office 01256 882539 or 07734 227937

With Children’s Entertainer Mark Pencak

Saturday 20 January 2:30-3:30

‘ JOURNEY to the
CENTRE of the EARTH’
Tickets: Adult £5:00 Children £3:00
Family Matinee Performance with tea-time refreshments

BARN DANCE
Saturday 20 January 2007
with popular ‘Pitchfork ’/ Fish & Chip Supper
Tickets £12.50 from Shop, P.O. VH, & 881979
28
 Happy Valle y Charity Clay Pigeon Shoot

Held at Clappers Farm Grazeley on Thursday 3rd August in aid of Stratfield

Saye Church restoratio n and repair fund.

Janet, Tony, Phil and Ron who regularly run clay s hoots here at Clappers
Farm, kindly offered to organis e a shoot as a fundrais er for St Mary’s
Church Stratfield Saye. We also held a BBQ, Tombola and Whis ky raffle.

After a shaky s tart to the weather, by mid afternoon when the shooters had
started to arrive the sun was shining.

The marquee, which was kindly supplied and erected by Stratfield Saye
Es tate, was put to good use hous ing the tombola and raffle. These were
organised and run by Fran, John, Germano and Clive they were assisted by
our PCC treasurer Robert.

My wife June and Jane Gilbert served beverages . The BBQ was manned
by my daughter Anne and her hus band Martin, all of whom were kept very
bus y all afternoon.

Many of the church congregation arrived to watch the shooting and support
the event. The overall winner of the competition was a gentleman who
likes to be known as “Shack” and shoots regularly with the Happy Valley
Shoot. Many thanks to the Duchess of Wellington who attended the event
and pres ented the trophy, of a large clay, to “Shack”, whose s core was 47
out of 60 clays.

I would like to thank all who donated prizes, helped with the event,
attended the afternoon, ran the shoot and those who took part in the
competition.

The afternoon raised a grand total of £1,040 and was thoroughly enjoyed
by all. Once again many thanks.
Roy Best.

29
 Clay
Shooting.

A few ladies from St. Mary’s

Congregation watching the
competition, having enjoye d
the Barbeque.

The Duchess of We llington

presenting the trophy to
‘Shack’.

30
 Poppy Appeal
Stratfield Saye and Hartley Wespall
Thank you very much to all the contributors and
collectors in Stratfield Saye and Hartley Wespall
who this year have raised a fantastic £1,076.

Basingstoke Voluntary Services

Charity Fayre
M arket S quare
outsi de the Willi s M useum
7th December 2006
10.00am - 4.30pm
Come and do some Chri stm as shopping an d su ppor t
your local com muni ty/ volun ta ry groups

Milestones, Hamps hire 's Living History Museum,

in Bas ingstoke
As a special Christmas and New Year promotion, the mus eum will be
offering residents within Basingstoke and Deane the opportunity to visit
at a reduced rate during December 2006 and January 2007. On proof
of address (e.g. driving licence, utility bill) residents of the borough
will be entitled to '2 for the price of 1' admiss ion, which gives one adult
(or concession) free entry when accompanied by another full paying
adult. The offer is not valid for the museum's s pecial events , e.g.
Chris tmas Gala Evenings (8 & 15 December, 7pm -10pm). Further
details on the museum can be found at www.milestones-museum.com.

32
 SHERFIELD AND DISTRICT
GARDENING CLUB
New members are always welcome.
We m ee t on th e 3 rd Mon day of the month i n the Li ddel l Hall at
Sherfi eld Vi llage Hall at 8.00pm

Future Meetings
18th Dece mbe r Chri s tmas Par ty

15th January 07 A Talk by Pe ter Barwi ck

From Blackmoor Nur se ry Se lborne
on soft frui ts
FOR FURTHE R DETAILS PL EAS E RI NG L IN DA ON 012 56 88234 1

St. Leonard’s Church – Access to the Public.

As fro m No ve mbe r 2 00 6 St. Leonard’s Church , She rfie ld on Loddo n,
w ill be o pe n t o the public on t he se co nd and fo urt h Sat urday s of
each month fro m 10 .0 0 am to 4 .00 pm, and addit ionally fro m June t o
Sept e mbe r inclusive ly at the same time on t he third Saturday of the
mo nt h. During t he se t ime s two v olunt ee rs will be in atte ndance at t he
churc h. Dat es w hen t he church w ill be open to visito rs
w ill be publishe d in t he Loddo n Valley Link the pre ceding
mo nt h.
During De cember the church w ill be open to v isito rs on
Saturd ay 9 th and also o n Sa turda y 23 rd Decembe r from
1 0.00 am to 4.0 0 pm. I n Janua ry the church w ill be o pen on Saturda y
1 3th and also o n Saturd ay 2 7th Janua ry at t he sam e times.
A rot a o f v olunt ee rs is being ke pt by Gill Aust in (88 23 64 ) and if yo u are
not alre ady on the rot a and w ould like t o be included, please contact
Gill. T he re are two o n dut y at any one t ime and e ach rot a is for t hree
hours only .
The C hurch Wa rdens

34
 'Loddon Bridge has fallen dow n, falle n dow n'

Ov er a yea r a go the footbridge ov er the Lod don be tw ee n the Wate r-

me adow s at Ha rtle y We s tpa ll a nd the Golf Cours e c ollapse d int o the
riv er. It ha d bee n us e d by anglers a nd w alk ers for we ll ov er 30 ye ars
a nd w as a mos t use ful as se t to bot h v illages .

Ha rtle y We stpa ll P arish Counc il a nd the An glers Club a re w illing to con-

tribute tow ards the res torati on h ow ev er Sherfie ld Pa ris h Council ha v e
bee n unw illing to do this due to a lac k of dema nd from the v illa ge rs .

If a ny one fee ls as I do tha t t his bridge should be re insta te d ple as e

ma ke your v iew s k now n to the Pa ris h Council.

The Rotherwick Gift Fair

We would like to thank all those who supported this

year’s Rotherwick Gift Fair. We are very pleased to announce
that we have raised £16,100.00 The Cystic Fibrosis Trust,
homemade food stall raised £1,487.75, the remainder goes to
The Friends of St Michael’s Hospice charity. We look forward to
welcoming you to next year’s Fair on Tuesday 9th October 2007.

Victoria Shearn , Camilla Wakeley and the Rotherwick Gift Fair

Committee.

CAROL SINGING
TUESDAY 19TH DECEMBER

THE OLD RECTORY,

STRATFIELD SAYE PARK
7.00pm

MINCE PIES AN D MULLED WINE

All we lcome
36
The Women’s Institute
Reported by Val Denny

In November we held our annual meeting to elect our

officials for the coming year. As always, the secretary’s
report (Doris L’ Enfant) reminded us of all the entertaining,
interesting activities which have happened in 2006 –
mahjong, skittles, walking, theatre, trips home and abroad,
coffee mornings, lunches. Seventeen of us were at the Anvil
for Hampshire’s Autumn Council and we sent a delegate to
Cardiff for the National Conference. I did not bump into
Captain Jack and Torchwood – Alas!

Virgilius Vickers thanked the committee for their help

throughout the year and also the many non-committee
members who do so much to ensure the Institute functions
smoothly. Virgilius is resigning this year and Kathleen
Gaiger thanked her for her work as President. Our new
President is Ria Stocks who thanked the members for
electing her and looked forward to the coming year.

In December we have our Christmas party with special food,

special decorations and special visitors. Paul and Anne
Connolly will entertain us with “Two Voices and a Guitar”
and seasonal music. In January we have our usual “Show
and Speak” where several members bring along objects and
reminisce about them.

The W.I. wish you all a joyful Christmas and a happy and
prosperous New Year.

38
 EVERGREEN CLUB
Reporter – Jean Wright

The meeting on 6th November was a talk and a

film show on Basingstoke Canal which was very
interesting. Our next meeting is on 4th December
and this will be our Christmas Party.

Our Christmas meal will be held at The Longbridge

Mill on 12th December at 12 noon, which we are all looking
forward to. Any other Christmas functions will be reported
in the next issue of the magazine.

CAROLS AROUND THE VILLAGE

Informal Carol Singing around Sherfield Village,
Thursday 21st December.
Meet at the Four Horseshoes Pub at 7.00pm. All welcome.
Proceeds in aid of The Children’s Society
and BibleLands Children’s Society.

CHRISTMAS WHIST DRIVE

Friday, December 8th
at 7.30pm in
Sherfield Village Hall
Admission £1.50
All Welcome
40
 THE STRATFIELD SAYE EDUCATIONAL
FOUNDATION
(Grants for Children and Young People)

The Foundation was established by George Pitt in 1739 and provides

grants for children and young people under 18 in the Parishes of
Stratfield Saye and Beech Hill. The Trustees would like to encour-
age parents of Stratfield Saye and Beech Hill to make use of this his-
toric charity.

All claims , with accompanying receipts, for extra curricular activi-

ties , where not provided by the Local Education Authority will be
considered sympathetically. The grant is not means-tested and is
available for activities such as:

Music and swimming tuition, res idential and s tudy courses , textbooks
and special equipment etc.

Applications for grants must be received by:

Roy Best, Clappers Farm, Grazeley, RG7 1JJ or
Paul Sedgwick , Stratfield Saye Estates , Estate Office, Stratfield
Saye, Near Reading, RG7 2BT
not later than 31st December 2006

42
 BASINGSTOKE LADIES CHOIR

Chris tmas is coming on fast, too fast for most of us having to deal
with all the many arrangements and present buying necessary for a
trouble-free celebration. So at this point I should like to take time out
at this hectic time to thank our many supporters for their interes t this
year in our Choir, and hope we may enjoy their continued support in
the future as we have an exciting programme for next year, with new
music and new venues .

In the run up to Christmas the Ladies are contin uing to entertain their
many friends , first with carol s inging in Festival Place on Tuesday
evening, 5th December, when there will be an opportunity to
introduce the Choir to new supporters , and then on Saturday, 9th
December, the Choir with the Hurst Singers and the Basingstoke
Male Voice Choir, will be taking part in the Mayor's Charity Appeal
Concert in St. Michael's Church. This is the annual Mayor's Carol
Concert given in aid of the Mayor's charities which this year are the
Salvation Army; Limington House School and Bas in gstoke Hospital
Radio. Tickets (£5 adults , £3 children and senior citizens)are
available at the Civic Offices, (tel 01256 844844) or at the door.
The concert s tarts at 7.30pm.

The final concert for the Ladies is the free Senior Citizens at Carnival
Hall on Friday, 15th December, at 7.30pm. This is always very
enjoyable and popular. Entry is by ticket only and early application
is advised to Kathy Ling on 01256 476646.

May I take this opportunity on behalf of the Choir of wishing all

friends and supporters a very happy and peaceful Chris tmas - and
we'll see you all in the New Year!

Jean Kennedy
(01256 781392)

44
C
R
O
S
S
W
O
R
D

49

CLU ES AC RO SS: CLU ES DO WN:

SPA NISH COA ST (5) HO W A PSAL M W AS SU NG (7)
STA BL E E AT ING TROU GH S (7) U NH AP PIL Y (5)
T UM MY (7) SEA LO RD (7)
T ERRI BLE (5) L OWL Y (6)
O NE W HO AT TE MP T S (5) FOR CE S M E SS (5)
STRAIG HT EN ED (7) A RA B MISTE R (7)
FIT (4) FIRM (5)
IDL E (6) FICTIO NA L SWA N (4)
H E FACED TH E L ION S (6) BIBL ICAL B (4)
20. T OP RU SSIAN (4) O LD FE ST IVE DRIN K (7)
22. MA STE R (7) AD VE N T (7)
24. CH RIST I S ----- (5) G RE ASE F RO M SHE E P (7)
26. C RO WN (5) D IV IDE S (6)
27. SO RT O F M EE TIN G (7) G OT T O GE TH ER (3,2)
28. CA STL E S (7) SON OF A B RA HA M (5)
29. RU SSIA N L EA DE R (5) 25. N UMB E R (5)

AN SW ERS T O C RO SSW ORD 48

A CR OS S : 1 .N A ZA RET H 7 .A WA K E 8 .C H RIS TM AS 9.O IL 1 0.EV IL
1 1.P LUR AL 13 .AN G ELS 1 4 .A B OA RD 17 .CY C LIC 1 8 .BR AG 20 .ER A
2 2.B ETH LEH EM 2 3 .PH O TO 2 4 .GR AN D M A S
D OW N ; 1 .N ICH E 2 .ZER OIN G 3 .R ISE 4.TEMP LE 5.C AR O L
6 .REPLIED 7 .A S CR IBE 12 .P LA CEB O 1 3.A TT EMP T 1 5 ..A BR A HA M
1 6.S ISTER 1 7.C AN O N 19 .G AM ES 21 .P LA N

46
 Loddon Valley Link Management Committee
Chair m an:
De puty Chairm an:
Hartley Repre se ntative :
Str atfie ld Re pr esentative
Sher fie ld Park Rep:
Se cr etary:
Adve rtising:
Ple as e call Wins ton
for all adver tis ing
enquir ies .
Editor f or Fe bruary and
March 0 7 issues.
NB. The final d ate f or
items for Feb is sue is
16th of Janu ar y
Editor for the
April & May 07 iss ues
Editor f or the
Jun e & July 07
Issues
Dr . Don ald Daw s on Tel. 8 82 379
Re vd. Bob Pol itt Tel. 8 82 209
Dr . John Will iam s Tel. 8 82705
Mr . Eric Price Tel: 8 81402
Mr Chr is Wr ight Tel: 88 0436
Esm e War d
28 Pound Mead ow ,
Sherf ield on Loddon ,
Hoo k RG27 OEP
Te l. 01256 880503
email: geoc.w ard@bt int ernet.co m
Wins ton Bruce
18 Lon gbridge Close
Sherf ie ld on Lodd on
Hook. RG2 7 0DQ
Te l. 0 1256 8 83277
email: w in.bruc e@t isc ali.co.uk
Shee na Ar cher
1, Orc hard L ea
Sherf ie ld on Loddon,
Hook RG27 0ES
Te l: 01256 882 099
email: sh eenaarher@btintern et.co m
Br ian Arche r
1 Orchar d Lea
Sherf ie ld on Lodd on
Hook RG2 7 0 ES
Tel. 01256 88209 9
ema il: br ianarcher @btinternet.com
Clair e Osborne
47, War bleton Ro ad
Chineham
Basingsto ke
RG24 8 RF
Tel: 01 256 32445 8
e ma il: guyclaire @ukonline.co.uk
LODDON
Re ctor: VALLEY
CHURCH OFFICERS
Reverend Bob Politt, LINK
33 Northfield Road ,
Sherfield on Loddon. RG27 0DR
Tel. 01256-882209
Kindly note the Rector’s day off is Thursday.

Readers: Mr. Ric hard Elphick Tel. 01256-882860

Dr. John Williams Tel. 01256-882705

ST. LEONARD’S CHURCH, SHERFIELD ON LODDON

Churchwardens: Mrs. Gill Austin Tel. 01256-882364
Dr. Donald Dawson Tel. 01256-882379

Trea sure r: Mr. Stephen Hemmings Tel.01256-882523

Orga nists: Mr. Mike Abrams Tel. 01256-881188

Mr. Brian Archer Tel. 01256-882099
Mrs. Peggy Willson Tel. 01256-880503

ST. MARY’S CHURCH, STRATFIELD SAYE

Churchwarden: Mr. Roy Best Tel. 01189-882422

Trea sure r: Mr Robert Craig Tel: 01256-882253

Orga nist: Mrs. Fran Oliver Tel. 01189-268364

ST.MARY’S CHURCH, HARTLEY WESPALL

Churchwardens: Mr Pip Iles Tel. 01256-880559
Dr. John Williams Tel. 01256-882705

Trea sure r: Mr. Michael Webster Tel. 01256-882413

Orga nist: Dr. Gill Williams Tel. 01256-882705

50
Special Pull-out Supplement
with easy reference to “Link” pages
 Date Events Details/Page
Tuesday 5th St. Leonard’s Church Prayer Page 10
December Meeting 8.00 - 9.00pm

Friday 8th Christmas Whist Drive Page 40

December 7.30 pm

Sunday 10th Christingle & Carol Service Page 1

December Hartley Wespall 4.30pm

Monday 12th Evergreens’ Christmas Lunch Page 40

December at Longbridge Mill

Thursday 14th Hartley House Carols Page 16

December 7.30pm

Saturday 16th Christmas Celebration Day Page 28

December Sherfield V. Hall 10.00—3.30

Saturday 16th Basingstoke Concert Band Page 28

December Sherfield V. Hall 7.30 pm

Sunday 17th Carol Service & Nativity Play Page 1

December Stratfield Saye 5.00pm

Sunday 17th Carol Service by Candlelight Page 1

December St. Leonard’s, Sherfield 6 pm

Tuesday 19th Carol Singing The Old Rectory Page 36

December Stratfield Saye 7.00pm

Thursday 21st Carol Singing Around Meet outside the

December Sherfield Village 7.00pm Four Horseshoes
 Date Events Details/Page
Friday 22nd Carol Service Breach Lane
December Chapel, Sherfield 7.3 0pm

Saturday 24th Mass (RC) St. Bede’s, Popley

December 9.00am

Saturday 24th Benefice Holy Communion with Page 1

December Carols. Sherfield 10.00am

Saturday 24th Mass (RC) St. Bede’s, Popley

December 11.00am

Saturday 24th 30 min. Family Crib Service Page 1

December St. Leonard’s, Sherfield 4 pm

Saturday 24th Holy Communion Page 1

December Hartley Wespall 6.0 0pm

Saturday 24th Carols 6.00pm and Mass (RC)

December 6.30pm St. Bede’s, Popley

Saturday 24th Holy Communion Page 1

December St. Leonard’s, Sherfield 11 pm

Saturday 24th Carols and Mid-night Mass

December 11.30 pm St. Bede’s, Popley

Continued overleaf
Sunday 25th Mass (RC) St. Bede’s,
December Popley 9.00 am

Sunday 25th Family Service Page 1

December Hartley Wespall 10.00am

Sunday 25th Family Service Page 1

December Sherfiled 10.30am

Sunday 25th Holy Communion Page 1

December Stratfield Saye 10.30am

Sunday 25th Family Service Baptist Chapel Page 3

December Sherfield 10.30am

Sunday 25th Mass (RC) St. Bede’s, Popley

December 11.00am

Sunday 31st Benefice Family Communion Page 1

December Hartley Wespall 10.00 am

Sunday 7th Holy Communion Page 2

January 2007 Sherfield 10.00am

Sunday 7th Family Service Page 2

January 2007 Stratfield Saye 10.00 am

Sunday 7th Evensong and Communion Page 2

January 2007 Hartley Wespall 4.0 0 pm