March 2023

Coronation

Several people have commented to us that a celebration of the upcoming

coronation of King Charles would be a fitting way to mark this historic

event, and we are inclined to agree.

Following the success of Queen Elizabeth’s Jubilee event last summer we

are working with the Parish Council to create an event along similar lines. It has been suggested that we host an afternoon tea on the Sunday 7th May

at the playing field. We welcome all offers of help in organising it and on

the day so please don’t hesitate to let us know. We will post updates on the

Sherfield English Residents Facebook group as and when we have more

information and in April’s SEDCA newsletter when we will have the full programme.

Other news from The Pavilion

Progress is being made on the replacement playground equipment. Discussions with manufacturers to find the best options with hopefully a final decision soon. Watch this space!

SERP2000, serp@sherfieldenglish.org.uk

SERP2000 is funded and run by the village charity SERP 2000.

Volunteers and new committee members always welcome.

March 2023

St Leonard’s Church We hold a service each Sunday at 11am.

Spring is approaching, snowdrops have appeared, and daffodils are

following swiftly on - my sister and uncle both had a daffodil out on New

Year’s Day this year, bit of a rivalry going on there, sometimes they even

have one out on Christmas Day. In February Lent starts and I am sure you

will be partaking of the British tradition of pancakes on Shrove Tuesday prior to the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Are you a purist with lemon

and sugar or something more contemporary perhaps? Streaky bacon and maple syrup or chocolate crumbled with ice cream? Someone told me they always have a stack of pancakes; how would that work in a big family? Two

or three each only at about 15-minute intervals was our family of 5 routine, well, it seemed ages anyway!

We will have our next coffee morning on Saturday 4th March 10.30am -12 noon, and our Bell Captain, Martin Daniels, and his colleagues will be

delighted to show anyone who can climb 39 steps (good book title eh?!) the ringing chamber and the new technological ringing practice equipment. A software package simulates the bell note so learners can hear the bell inside the chamber without the sound of the bell ringing for the whole village to hear. Martin can use this technology to teach beginners more

regularly at St Leonard’s as our bells are lighter than some churches so ideal for youth training or novices. I tried with the Confirmation Candidates last March, and I had to concentrate, could not do any talking. It needs a lot of practice to be perfect like our bell ringers are every Sunday for

services! Do come and take advantage of this great opportunity to see the

bell tower, and if you would like to join us for chat, a coffee and a cake, it is only £2, that would be even better. In February it was a brief talk from the

local charity Unity and in March bell simulators - St Leonard’s like to keep you on your toes!

Also St Leonard’s bells will be chiming for charity to celebrate International Women’s Day, as Bell Vice-Captain Wendy Nash writes: -

“The number of bell ringers at St Leonard’s has been increasing over the last two years, and we are now in the fortunate position of having 16

ringers for our 8 bells. This is a significant achievement, as there are a dwindling number of bell ringers, England has 38 thousand bells, but only

30 thousand ringers. Probably for the first time in Sherfield English

we have more female ringers than bells. Eight of our ladies will ring to celebrate this on International Women’s Day, March 8th, and make a donation to a women’s charity. Bell ringing is all about working together as a team, and our ladies will be challenging themselves and supporting each other, in the spirit of International Women’s Day.”

It is not just bellringers at St Leonard’s who enjoy working as a team, we are joining our neighbouring Benefice of Thorngate’s Lent charity project in

hosting a soup lunch on Saturday 18th March, 12 noon to 2pm. There is no charge for the lunch, but the diners’ donations will be given to UNICEF for their projects throughout the world, and very much needed they are the moment too. If you think you would like to support this event, and know ahead of time, then do contact myself or Clare to assist our catering – there will be 4 different types of soup on offer so should suit most palates. Mothering Sunday on 19th March is always a popular service, many discussions on who has got what flowers out in their gardens for the posies we hand out usually announces the run up to the celebration. This year Rev James Pitkin from Thorngate Benefice (Lockerley, East & West Tytherley and East Dean) will lead the service. James will hopefully become our Rector sometime soon too. We are delighted that James now leads our services on

the first Sunday of the month for a Holy Communion and on the third Sunday for a family service and we have morning prayer on the other Sundays, all at 11am. We look forward to seeing you.

Julia Noble

Churchwarden of St Leonard’s, Sherfield English

March 2023

Wellow Wood Chapel Sunday Services 10am

Please contact for information or transport Mr Graham Wigmore 01794

389000 or Miss S Caplen 01794 521774. A warm welcome to everyone.

5TH MAR MRS GWEN LESLIE

12TH MAR REV C KING

19TH MAR MRS K RAWLINS COMMUNION SERVICE

26TH MAR MR STEVE IRISH

2ND APR MR G LEWIS