Wellesbourne and Walton News
Editor: Mac Parry        Published by St Peter’s Church Wellesbourne       February 2008

“RABBIT, RABBIT, RABBIT” I wonder how many will recognise this title taken from the words of a popular song some years ago sung by Chas and Dave. I think it is meant to be a comment on people who tend to monopolise a conversation and are perhaps unaware they are. A trap waiting to be sprung here is that frivolous chat can turn into serious character assassination within a few words. It can be fairly easy to express personal opinions about someone's dress, general appearance, rough language and so on and not realise we are causing hurt or worse. We seldom see ourselves as smug, self satisfied critics in our self perception of others and would probably be very offended were this pointed out to us. All this can be even worse if our comments are in public. An attractive young woman boarded a local bus recently and sat opposite two middle-aged gossips who at once began barbed remarks for all to hear on the dress and behaviour of the young. All the evils of modern society were laid at the door of those scantily dressed, brazen young women and binge drinking youth but not by a flicker did the 'victim' show her feelings or thoughts. When the bus reached her stop the girl stood up, looked straight at the two and said, “If you have a Bible, look up chapter seven of Matthew's Gospel, the first couple of lines”. She then got off leaving a waft of fragrant perfume in her wake. Should we be tempted to 'rabbit' about someone in the future, be careful that we are not spreading the equivalent of 'character myxomatosis' around because... “Judge not and you will not be judged ... ” (Matthew 7: 1-2ff, NIV, LDS, KJV). Not a bad guide for our walk through Lent. Fr David

WALTON NEWS At evensong the first reading told the dramatic story of Daniel in the lions' den. Kate Mier in her sermon pointed out that Daniel still continued to pray publicly three times a day by an open window in his house, defying the threat that he would be thrown to the lions if he continued to worship his God. As she said, if we pray, we tend to do it in private, except on Sundays, being somewhat ashamed in our English way of any public show, and this gave cause for thought. Certainly for a few days, once the autumn colours had finally faded, there was no temptation to pray by an open window as we went briefly into a winter wonderland with the fields white with frost, the bare branches of the trees outlined in silver and the ducks on the lake at Walton Hall sliding about on the glittering ice. In December there was a tea party at the Old Rectory when everyone brought a plate of food and there was a magnificent spread. Kate and Andy joined us and a presentation was made to Ken in thanks for all his work over the years in organising the fête. He was given a painting by Elizabeth Street of a scene from last year's fête at the Dene House. We had a pre-Christmas treat when the Walton String Ensemble gave a well attended and very enjoyable concert in the church, this time 'in the round'. The Walton quartet was back in form at the Carol Concert on Christmas Eve, playing us in and wishing us a happy Christmas at the end. Several of the younger generation came forward to sing and read prayers and help with the collection, and the readers covered all age groups, representing a wide spectrum of the community. With the help of volunteers from Wellesbourne and two shepherds of a mature age (more often to be seen in Fresh 'n' Fruity) there was a nativity scene with attendant angels, although sadly this year only one very small King managed to find his way to the stable. EH   Advent and Christmas are long past, but the beautiful Advent floral arrangements in St Peter's during December reminded us all that there is always Spring. Three of them are shown below but sadly only in B&W. [If anyone has these in colour, please send them in.]

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