WALTON NEWS
All the week the weather forecasters were prophesying that there would be heavy rain on Sunday and they were all too right. To the delight of the gardeners and the dismay of all those running out-of-door events, the wind got up, the rain came down and it was very cold.
In spite of this a good number of people came to Walton Church for the afternoon of music, although Geoffrey Holroyde made it clear that he would not call it Music for a Summer's Afternoon ever again! The programme started with the fifteenth century madrigal 'Summer is y-comen in' which produced a few wry smiles as did the promise in the first lesson from Joel at Evensong that the Lord God 'will cause to come down to you the rain'. But in any case, the cakes at tea tasted just as delicious served indoors, and as for the music it was a delight, with many familiar pieces including the lovely Kyrie and Agnus Dei from the Mass for Four Voices by William Byrd. Both choir and instrumentalists tell us how much they enjoy coming to our church and this is evident in their joyful performances. It was gratifying that so many people stayed for Sung Evensong which was a great treat for us all.
The organ was played magnificently by Will Drackett from the Birmingham Conservatoire and there is no doubt that the sound is all the better for the restoration which was completed recently. Now it is on to the next thing, the Fête and Dog Show on Sunday 14 August – please note the date in your diary and say a prayer for fine weather.
It was good to have Helen Harper with us as we have missed her greatly since her recent move to Tiddington Court. One day before she left I found this message from her on my answer phone and she said she would be happy for me to share it with you:
“May I just say how wonderful it's been to be connected with such a lovely church and all the lovely people in it and also to say how much happiness I've had from it in the forty years I've been in Walton”.
Certainly Helen and her late husband John have contributed so much to the church and the community since they moved here from Solihull and we wish Helen all happiness in her new life at Tiddington. Our loss is their gain.
EH
Wellesbourne & District
I hope you are all enjoying the summer, the sunshine and the lovely long evenings. Wellesbourne Lions will be participating in a number of summer fêtes throughout the district again this year. Already confirmed at this stage are the Barford School Fête on Saturday July 9th and the Walton Fête on Sunday 14th August. Come along and splat a rat or two! Throw wet sponges at a Lion! Buy a ticket in our prize draw, or just drop by and say hello!
A big thank you to Garath, landlord of the Fox at Loxley. He has very kindly presented the Lions with a cheque for nearly £700 from a fundraising event held at the Fox on royal wedding day. He has asked that this be donated to a charity working for the benefit of children.
Finally an early reminder to keep a date free in your diaries – on Sunday 11th September at 7.30pm the Lions will be again hosting a concert. This year’s event will take place at Stratford Civic Hall and will feature the Flowers Band, one of the country’s top brass bands. The concert will feature all the usual ‘Last night at the proms’ favourites plus much more on the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Tickets cost £12.50 and are available now from the Civic Office box office or via local lions clubs. The concert is in aid of Zoë’s Place Baby Hospice and Lions charities.
Lion Andy Stokes
Apparently there’s one of the old fashioned red telephone boxes
inside Liverpool Cathedral. The link between them is because the architect of Liverpool's Anglican cathedral, Sir Gilbert Scott also designed the telephone kiosk.
Something of beauty and grandeur, and something of great use, and
both came from the inspiration and talent of one man.
But there’s another link – talking.
A telephone box was designed so that we could talk to each other.
In a cathedral we talk to God.
Lots of good news this month in that nearly all aspects of crime in leafy Warwickshire are DOWN. However, any criminal action is not good and we can all play a part in continuing the downward trend. Door to door selling/ canvassing etc is something that could affect any of us and a few tips might prevent YOU becoming a victim. The first thing to remember is that your home is your own private space and just because someone appears at your door asking questions you are not obliged to respond, let alone allow access. Apparently disadvantaged youngsters are often used to sell cheap household goods. Sadly, invariably they get only a very small proportion of the money, the bulk going to the vast unscrupulous organisation behind them. Cold callers generally look the part, a uniform that just could be Gas, Electric or Water and flashing an ID or wearing a smart suit and clutching a clip board with a brief case beside. Let’s face it they will not be in scruffy jeans and a tee shirt bearing the message ‘I am after your money and valuables’! So be prepared. Severn Trent Water for instance (no such thing as The Water Board) have a system of registering a password with them: contact 08457 500500 for more details. Providers will always ring for an appointment if you have any problems and no genuine representative would try to get into your home with an excuse such as wanting to ‘check’ your taps, your neighbour is having trouble with their gas etc. The ‘I am just doing a survey for the Government’ could be anyone. Don't be afraid to challenge: I did just that recently. One afternoon I noticed a fairly smart business man with clip board and brief case knocking on everyone's door, very few replies. Was he trying to find out who was at home? Being a helpful sort of person I asked if I could help as he didn't seem to getting much success. Wow, did I get a mouthful and told to mind my own business. He eventually wafted an ID in front of me too quick to read, muttered something about a survey and jumped into his car and away. Finally Neighbourhood Watch has been recommended a Security Door Chain, very effective and quick and easy to install. Cost £19.99. More info from freephone 0800 046 7399 or www.securitydoorchains.co.uk . So please do your bit and make Wellesbourne a ‘no go’ village for door to door bogus callers and safer place for all. Thank you
Frankie Stuart, Chairman, Neighbourhood Watch frankiestuart@virgmmedia.com 01789 841819