3. 3
FROM READER TONY BANBURY
Dear Friends,
Another calendar year begins bringing with it the hopes and dreams of humanity. For some it
begins with parties and great celebrations – large sums of money being spent on fireworks,
food, drink and festivities. For some it is welcomed with quiet reflection, gathering up the old
year and preparing for what is to come. However, for the majority of humanity it is greeted
from the perspective of grinding poverty, disease, famine, drought, pestilence and conflict.
What has happened to the dreams of hopes of a year ago when our brave new century
became a teenager?
If we follow the news in the media, much seems to have gone wrong. There are still conflicts
around the world. Fanatics of many persuasions still seek to impose their ‘vision’ of a brave
new world by inflicting violence on helpless peoples whose only wish is to live in peace and
get on with their lives.
Many are still in grip of grinding poverty, have no access to clean water, enough food,
education, shelter or health care. There is huge inequality in our world!
And yet amongst this bad news there is hope and good news. We just don’t hear of it too
often!
All over the world charities, and other agencies, many of them Christian, are working with
governments and peoples to bring these things to those in need. Those in some of the
poorest communities are feeling hope in the future through projects to allow them to become
self-sustaining; to have access to markets for their products, to ensure that they are paid a
fair price for their goods and services, and that they are free from exploitation and fear.
Jesus’ time on earth was largely spent amongst such people. His closest associates were
mostly ordinary, poor people; although, of course, he made it very clear that his message is
for all those from whatever ‘station’ in life who come to him.
In St Matthew’s Gospel, chapter 25, verses 34-40, Jesus talks about how we should treat
each other, especially the disadvantaged, in order to claim to live in his way and make our
world a better, more equitable place.
In 2015 let’s look beyond the bad news and see how we can all share the bounty of God’s
creation to create more and more hope, equity and good news for all people.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Yours in Christ,Tony Banbury
Licensed Lay Minister (Reader).
4. 4
PARISH OF PLYMSTOCK AND HOOE
8am Parish Service of Holy Communion
From December the pattern of services will be as follows :-
St. John’s - 8am Communion 1st
& 3rd
Sundays
St Mary’s – 8am Communion 2nd
& 4th
Sundays
Sunday 11th
January – Joint Service
10.00am at Holy Family, Staddiscombe
FROM THE PARISH REGISTER
We welcomed into God’s family through Baptism at St. Mary’s in November:
16th
November ELLA-ROSE ROBERTS, the daughter of Mark and Emma
Roberts.
23rd
November MORRIS ANTHONY WILLIAM LEE, the son of Lewis and
Hayley Lee.
30th
November HARRY LEWIS MIDDLETON and MAX OWEN MIDDLETON
the sons of John and Natasha Middleton.
______________
FROM ST JOHN’S PARISH REGISTERS
BAPTISM: We welcomed into God’s family by Baptism:-
November 16th
JACOB HARLEY BIDDLECOMBE, son of Joseph and Kelly
Biddlecombe.
December 21st
GRACE EMILY DUCKETT, daughter of Samantha Acton and
Martin Duckett
5. 5
ADVENT SERVICE
This Service of readings, hymns and prayers, proved to be a lovely way of starting the
preparations for Christmas. St John's was partly lit and the candles and music added
to the reflective and prayerful atmosphere. This was a joint Service by the members of
the four churches and led by Graham Dee one of the Readers
The completion of the Christmas celebrations will be another Service of 9 Lessons and
Carols on Sunday, 4th
January 2015 at 4pm, again at St John's. At this Service the
mood will be much more joyful as we celebrate together the Saviour's birth and reflect
that even at a few weeks old the Holy family were forced to leave at night to flee to
another country. Refugees are not a new problem of our century.
The Service will again be led by Graham Dee with David Stevens, St John's Organist,
leading the music.
Afterwards the congregation move across to the Hall for a Bring & Share tea and more
celebrations. We look forward to seeing you.
A JOINT EPIPHANY SERVICE
of
NINE LESSONS & CAROLS
will be held at ST JOHN’S CHURCH
SUNDAY, 4th JANUARY 2015 AT 4.00pm
ALL WELCOME
A Bring & Share Tea after the Service in the Church Hall
THE CHILDREN’S SOCIETY HOUSE BOXES from St John the Evangelist Church,
Hooe
Thank you to all who gave so generously to the Children’s Society this year.
The final amount sent was £548.10.
Thank you again -Angela Woodward
ST JOHN'S BOXES
These were started in 1955 to commemorate the Church's centenary. This coming
year it will be their Diamond anniversary.
At present there are 15 boxes in the homes of the people of Hooe and these people
have given an amazing £318.14. Thank you. If you are interested in putting your small
change into a box for St John's, please ring Mary Skilton on Tel: 407447 to arrange
delivery.
6. 6
HOOE'S PLACE CAFÉ
(Photo: David
Demellwick)
This has now been
open since 7th
February 2008,
meeting every
Thursday except
during Christmas
period. Each week
over 40 people
gather to eat the
lunch of their
choice and enjoy each other’s company.
On Thursday, 11th
December, the patrons enjoyed a three course Christmas meal with
the usual trimmings in a true party atmosphere.
The members of St John's wish to thank the Hooe's Place gang, led by Tony Kelway,
who start work at 8.00am each Thursday to ensure that the meals are ready by
11.45am, and create a most welcoming atmosphere.
Their efforts have enabled the Church council to undertake many repairs to St
John's and to purchase new Mission Praise hymn books which were entirely
donated by Hooe's Place patronage.
The Café will reopen on Thursday, 8th
January 2015. Look forward to seeing you.
NEW ENTRANCE TO ST JOHN'S
The paving slabs leading to the South Door were unlevel and showing their age. In
addition the drainage from the main roof was constantly being choaked by leaves,
plastic bags and cigarette ends. A new drain has been installed to replace the one
which was over 100 years old and connected to the down pipes from the lych gate
roof. A wider path should make a much easier access to the church.
Although much toward the cost has been donated by people who have
attended Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals, the rest has been covered by Hooe's
Place Café.
7. 7
‘CHRISTMAS CRACKERS’ AT GOOD SHEPHERD
On Sunday, 7th
December, we held our all age
event ‘Christmas Crackers’ in the Church Hall.
There was the Christmas story told on the
screen digitally by emails, which was very well
done. A modern take on an event which took
place 2000+ years ago. We sang Christmas
songs.
The children and the adults both enjoyed
making tree decorations using polystyrene
shapes and then pinning foil pieces onto it.
They were very effective. They also made mosaic coasters and gift bags. Several
adults found the word searches challenging.
The afternoon finished with some lovely refreshments. Thanks to Steve for the digital
presentation; Sue for sorting out all the crafts and all the other helpers for making the
afternoon a success. Thank you. -Lin Miller
8. 8
LADIES FELLOWSHIP CHRISTMAS LUNCH
On Tuesday, 2nd
December, the Ladies Fellowship at Oreston went to Kitley House for
their Christmas lunch. We were joined by Jennie Appleby. The food was superb and
very tasty.
Whilst eating we were entertained by a pianist in the foyer playing well known
Christmas songs and carols. We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
Many thank to Cynthia Warren for organising the event.
-Lin Miller
ORESTON VILLAGE GREEN APPLICATION
In 2012 I submitted, with the support of the community of Oreston, an application to
register Oreston Quay as a Village Green. Unfortunately this application has not been
successful. Plymouth City Council as the landowner contends that permission has
already been given for the land to be used for lawful sports or pastimes and this is
reinforced by a decision of the High Court, upheld by the Supreme Court, regarding an
application for local authority land in North Yorkshire to be registered as a Village
Green. May I thank all those who supported the application by filling out evidence
forms, supplying information, loaning photographs and otherwise helping. It now
seems that the land at The Quay will be Oreston’s Village Green in name only.
-Kevin Warley
9. 9
Never mind a White Christmas, how about a Messy one?
Pictured is one of the
families enjoying
themselves at The
Staddy as they met the
Christmas angels.
Angel wings were
made, biscuits
decorated and songs
were sung (complete
with messy musical
instruments) before tea
was served to the
crowd of 30 parents,
children and
volunteers.
Messy Church meets again at The Staddy
at 4pm on Sunday, 1st
February,
when we’ll follow the theme of Noah’s Ark;
and then we’ll prepare for Easter
at 4pm on Sunday, 22nd
March.
Come and join in Messy Church!
More details from Bob Davidson on 481020. -Bob Davidson
TABLE TOP SALE
SATURDAY, 31st
JANUARY 2015
10.00am to 12 noon
ST MARY & ALL SAINTS PARISH HALL
Tea or Coffee ~ Raffle
In aid of the Church Roof fund.
THE NOVEMBER MARKET raised the sum of £540. Many thanks to all those who
supported this event.
10. 10
THE PARISH NEWS FOR 2015
With the support of our local businesses we are able to publish our Parish Magazine
each month and we are able to keep the price of the 2015 Magazine at 50p per copy.
Please support the Advertisers who support our publication.
For readers at St John’s, Hooe, who have their Magazine delivered each month the
distributors will collect money for the year with the February issue. Our thanks to the
distributors who undertake this task each month.
Thanks also to the Magazine Co-ordinators from our Team churches who collect
together copy by the deadline date.
We welcome photos which could be suitable for our covers as well as any articles.
They may not be used immediately but will be kept on file.
Any contributions can be sent to the Editor: email: mpskilton@sky.com or to Graham
Bulley, email: grahambulley@aol.com
Thank you for all your support in the past year and we wish all our readers
A VERY HAPPY AND HEALTHY 2015.
-Mary Skilton, Editor (Tel: 407447)
PLYM VALLEY HERITAGE
The meeting on Thursday, 15th
January 2015, in St John’s Hall will be the :
‘A Visit to the Eddystone Lighthouse in 1892’
with Nigel Overton, Plymouth Museum.
PLYMSTOCK GARDENING SOCIETY
The meeting on Monday, 2015, 7.30pm, at Plymstock United Church Hall,
Plymstock Road, Oreston, will be:-
(Non-members welcome ~ £1 per meeting)
Contact No: 01752 403652.
11. 11
We are the Little Saints of Plymstock!
And here we are in front of the beautiful Christmas tree inside St Mary’s church. After
hearing Teddy Horsley tell us the Christmas story (with a bit of help from Rev Jennie),
we sang Little Donkey and Away in a Manger, and said a prayer.
Then we went into the Parish
Hall for our party with Mary
and Margaret, and our
mums. After our party tea,
we had a special visitor when
Father Christmas came to ive
us each a present! We had a
great time, and look forward
to Monday 12th
January at
1.45pm when we meet
together again. Call Rev
Jennie Appleby on 941844 if
you want to come along and
be a Little Saint!
-Jenny Appleby
12. 12
CHILDREN’S PAGE
Happy New Year everyone! Did you know that New
Year festivals have been celebrated for more than
5,000 years? Some of the festivals are religious and
some of them are not. Some are celebrated on
January 1st .
Some take place at other times of the
year. Will the church bells in your area be rung to
mark the coming in of 2015? Maybe, you will look
back at what you did or didn’t do in 2014 and think of
something you could improve on in 2015 and make that your New Year’s resolution.
Perhaps you could try to do the things Mum asks you to after the first time she asks
you! Your church may celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany early in the New Year. It’s
the time when we remember the visit of the three wise men to the infant Jesus. You
can find the account in the New Testament in the gospel of St. Matthew, chapter 2.
How long will it take you to find words from the story in this WORDSEARCH?
Remember to look diagonally as well as up and down!
WISE
WORSHIP
BETHLEHEM
GOLD
MEN
DREAM
STAR
FRANKINCENSE
MYRRH
HEROD
EAST
HOUSE
H R F W B Q W I G L D Y K B
O K F R S V I U U I X Q W E
U S A J A V S M C D I H O T
S W D O W N E D E M K E R H
E E T R J S K E R N O R S L
P T A C I Z M I S E R O H E
G O O S Y T B Y N E A D I H
C O R F T Y U Q R C S M P E
Q J L B Y P W T K R E T X M
Z V X D M W B J Y E H N A Y
T C C L Y P L B M L Y L S R
J H J O W T K L K S S Z K E
13. 13
AS IT WAS
Taken in 1897, our below picture show a local train crossing Hooe Lake to arrive at
Turnchapel Station (to the right). A passer-by adds to the picture with Billy Harts
Quay in the background and Hooe village.
Some things change with time but the piers of the old railway bridge remain. Hooe
village has expanded up the hill in the background and a huge new housing estate
is being built to the right. If the railway was still there you could travel into
Plymouth in about ten minutes!!!
14. 14
THE LAST ITEMS OF TRUE PORCELAIN TO BE MADE IN PLYMOUTH
Within the collections at Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery sits the largest
collection of Plymouth porcelain with over 600 items.
Amongst these are two sauceboats and a teapot which might seem fairly normal at first
glance. But turn them upside down and the inscriptions on the undersides reveal that
they hold a very special status. They are, in fact, some of the very final items to be
produced at the 18th
century Plymouth porcelain factory.
Why was this particular factory so special? It was actually the first place in the UK to
produce true porcelain. The Quaker and chemist, William Cookworthy, who had a shop
on Notte Street, not only discovered China Clay deposits in Cornwall but also realised
they could be used to make porcelain.
Having discovered China Clay in the 1740s, Cookworthy spent the next 20 or so years
trying to make it into porcelain. This was easier said than done though. The aim was to
produce porcelain like the Chinese – sometimes referred to as 'hard paste' porcelain.
Only the Chinese knew the recipe and methods for making this however, and they
weren't sharing their secret!
In Germany, at Meissen in 1708, a factory became the first in Europe to produce true
porcelain, but they weren't giving anything away either.
Cookworthy had to use his own knowledge as a chemist and a lot of trial and error to
work out how to mix the China Clay in the right quantities. He then had to experiment
with firing the porcelain as well as decorating it. This took a long time but finally, in
1768, he was able to patent porcelain production in Plymouth.
He leased a warehouse in Coxside – now the site of the China House pub – where he
based his factory which had two tall kilns.
The production of porcelain was such a great achievement that Cookworthy wanted to
mark this momentous occasion.
The British Museum actually has one of the products from the very first firing in its
collections – a tiny blue and white coffee can. This remarkable piece is dated with
1768 and bears the Plymouth Coat of Arms.
15. 15
The two sauceboats and teapot in our collection shows the other end of the spectrum
and the final firing at Plymouth. This happened in 1770 after the factory had been
running for only two years.
Usually, factories used very small marks to identify pieces. Cookworthy's Plymouth
factory used a mark that looks like a 2 and a 4 together – the alchemist's sign for tin.
Dated ceramics with a full inscription like these are very rare and quite remarkable. To
have three dated pieces in our collection marking the factory's last firing is very
significant.
You can see these pieces in the Museum and Art Gallery's Atrium and Plymouth: Port
and Place galleries.
plymouth.gov.org/loveourpast
-Alison Cooper, Curator of Decorative Art
PLANNING PERMISSION GRANTED
Planning permission has been granted to Mr and Mrs Truscott for the demolition of
garage, shop, and lean-to and construction of detached retail unit together with repair
and restoration of Hooe Barn to form retail unit and café with assorted car parking and
landscaping.
For further information see: www.plymouth.gov.uk application number
14/01850/FUL or www.plymvalleyheritage.org
A CELTIC BLESSING
May you have –
Walls for the wind
And a roof for the rain,
And drinks beside the fire.
Laughter to cheer you
And those you love near you,
And all that your heart may desire.
16. 16
Cherishing Churchyards
A-Z of Churchyard Conservation
Reprinted with permission from Caring for God's Acre, the conservation charity for
churchyards and burial grounds, 01588 673041, http://www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk/
"L" is for Lettering
In days gone by all gravestones
were made from local stone and
carved by hand. Letter carvers
had different abilities and styles.
The stones varied in colour and
lent themselves to different styles
of lettering. Families were free to
choose what wording they
wanted, without strict guidelines.
Gravestones therefore, were a
unique combination of the carver,
the stone, and the families taste,
choice of words and budget.
This uniqueness is reflected in the beginning of Great Expectations, where Pip recalls
that his first notion of what his deceased parents were like “were unreasonably derived
from their tombstones. The shape of the letters on my father’s, gave me an odd idea
that he was a square, stout, dark man, with curly black hair”.
The art of letter-cutting was reinvigorated by craftsmen like Eric Gill (1882-1940), and
Britain has led in the techniques during the past century. We are lucky to have talented
letter carvers working in the tradition today, creating memorials of beauty to uniquely
honour the memory of loved ones.
The Lettering and Commemorative Arts Trust (LCAT) works with over 75 fine
lettercarvers, encouraging Britain's long tradition of lettercarving to flourish. It is the
single most important provider of training in letter-design and letter-carving in the UK.
For more information contact 01728 688393, www.letterartstrust.org.uk
For information on managing churchyard grassland contact::
Caring for God’s Acre, the conservation charity for churchyards and burial grounds,
01588 673041, http://www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk/
17. 17
LOCAL NEWS
Severe Cold Weather Advice
To prevent freezing of internal pipes it is
recommended that you turn off your water
supply to prevent pipes from bursting.
Locate the stop-cock inside your home
(usually under the kitchen sink). Also, know
the location of the stop-cock outside of your
home, if you cannot find it, contact South
West Water.
Keep torches (and any batteries) to hand in
case lighting fails or you need to switch off
power.
Keep important emergency numbers near
your home – for example a 24-hour
plumber and an emergency salvage and
clean-up company (usually listed under
'carpet and upholstery cleaners' in
directories).
Check your buildings and contents
insurance details. Most will be pleased for
you to arrange damage limitation with
plumbers and cleaners yourself. Note any
emergency contact telephone numbers.
If your house has any exposed pipes, lag
them with thick material or old blankets. If
lofts are very cold, leave trap doors open.
If you are away from your house overnight
or for any long period, leave the heating
system on a low setting to prevent pipes
freezing. If practical, switch off water and
drain pipes.
Ensure everyone living in your home knows
where the water stop cock and electricity
mains switch, are located.
If you have a battery radio, check it and
ensure you have spare batteries.
Receive alerts and newsletters of severe
weather by signing up on the Plymouth City
Council website
Help Available
Gary Streeter MP for South West Devon
holds regular advice surgeries throughout
the constituency. Surgeries in January:
Friday 9 January 2015, Plympton-----------
----------------+++++++++++++--
Friday 16 January 2015, Plymstock
Friday 23 January 2015, Ivybridge
Call 01752 335666 to book an
appointment.
Plymstock Ward Surgeries
Plymstock Dunstone and Radford ward
councillors hold advice surgeries in
Plymstock Library on the 2nd
Wednesday of
each month between 12 Noon and 1.00pm.
It is not necessary to book an appointment.
NEW Weekly Police Surgeries
Plymstock Neighbourhood Police Team is
now available every Wednesday from
10.30 to 11.30 in Plymstock Library.
Please feel free to come along and have a
chat or discuss any concerns you may
have in your neighbourhood with your local
police team.
Have Your Say Meetings
Neighbourhood meetings in January are an
opportunity to discuss and influence what
matters most in your local area.
The Turnchapel, Hooe, Oreston and
Mount Batten meeting will be held in Hooe
Baptist Church on Tuesday 6th
January at
7.00pm.
The Plymstock and Radford meeting will
take place in Plymstock Library on
Wednesday 14th
January at 7.00pm.
Library Films in January
Films to be shown in the Plymstock Library
18. 18
in January 2015
The film, One Chance, on Monday 19
January at 2.00pm carries a Certificate 12
and runs for 103 minutes.
Classic Films to be shown this Month.
Captain Corelli’s Mandolin
Tuesday 13 January at 2.00pm. The
Certificate 15 film runs for 124 minutes.
O Brother Where Art Thou?
Tuesday 27th
January at 2.00pm. The
Certificate 12 film runs for 101 minutes
Christmas Trees Pickup
Plymouth City Council is putting on a
special collection to pick up all the trees
after the festive period is over.
For the first time ever, the Council will be
picking up real trees after Christmas as
part of a pilot scheme. The round will take
place from the week beginning Monday 5
January and will run until Thursday 8
January.
All people have to do is to put the trees out
next to their bins or bags and a crew will
pick it up on the day their rubbish and
recycling is collected that week.
Plymotion Newsletter
The newsletter is available on the website
www.plymouth.gov.uk/plymotion
It contains lots of information about getting
around Plymouth by bus, bike and on foot.
Travel advisors will hold Drop in sessions
in Plymstock Library on Wednesdays 14
January between 10am and 12 noon, 21
January from 1.30 to 3pm and 28 January
between 10am and 12 noon.
Why not come along and chat if you
missed the home visits by advisors last
summer?
New Rubbish Collection Dates
Plymouth City Council last month delivered
thousands of Christmas cards to city
homes to let people know what days their
bins will be collected as part of a major
reorganisation of the city’s rubbish and
recycling rounds.
New recycling and rubbish collection days
start on the 19th
January
Recycling
Forthcoming legislation requires the
Council to consider the separate collection
of glass, paper, metal and plastics items for
recycling. If these items were collected
separately residents would need additional
bins or containers so that they can
separate the items.
Garden Waste
The Council provides a free seasonal
garden waste collection service which
operates from April to the end of October.
The Council is not legally obliged to collect
garden waste and not all residents use the
service which is costly to provide.
Challenging budgetary pressures could
mean that in the future that a charge will be
made for residents to use the service. The
cost of the service would be £30 to £35 per
year. This would include the provision of a
standard size (240 litre) wheeled bin which
would be collected fortnightly all year.
New Hooe Lake Quarry Plans
Barratt David Wilson Homes have applied
for planning permission (14/02107/FUL) to
amend the planning permission granted in
13/00061/FUL to provide 6 additional
dwellings with minor changes to the layout
and house types within the northern section
of the Hooe Lake Quarry site.
