He begins his first lecture by talking about the need for global peace and by examining our attitude to peace. He says that many of us have adopted a negative and defeatist attitude where we believe peace to be impossible – that we are gripped by forces we cannot control. But he goes on to say ‘We need not accept that view. Our problems are man-made, therefore they can be solved by man, and man can be as big as he wants. No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings.’ And later..

‘there is no single simple key to this peace, no grand or magic formula to be adopted by one or two powers. Genuine peace must be the product of many nations, the sum of many acts. It must be dynamic, not static, changing to meet the challenge of each new generation, for peace is a process, a way of solving problems.’

He then looks at how global peace will enable us to begin to tackle the overwhelming issues that face us in our attempt to secure the future of the planet.

At the end of each lecture is a time for questions and discussion. There was great pessimism about what the lecturer had said. One eminent member of the audience commented thus

‘… surely it’s pie in the sky, because man does not change. What on earth leads you to think that this kind of human nature is ever going to change?’ Others joined him in his derision.

Then followed for me the most powerful part of the debate where the professor showed how in many instances the actions of only one person who refuses to give up on the struggle for change can actually work miracles. The Civil Rights movement in America, the ending of Apartheid in South Africa, the end of the slave trade two hundred years ago – all associated with one pioneer who would not give up in the face of hardship and vilification.

One person working for good can change the world – does it perhaps remind you of anything?

Yours in Christ

Jo Spray

The Reith Lectures are broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on Wednesday evenings at 8.00pm and repeated on the following Saturday at 10.15pm. They are also available on the Internet and I have printed off the first two if anyone is interested in reading them.

Jo Spray

A willingness to pursue peace in the world

A more generous sharing of the earth’s resources

People who are starving

Congratulations to Tim and Emma on the birth of their baby girl, Rose Melissa and also congratulation to the Nicols Cooks on the birth of a baby boy.

Monday 4th June 2:30 Little Lights (please note change of date because of bank holiday)

Last year Sarah Beecham organized a House-to-House collection for Christian Aid. It was very difficult, however, as Christian Aid Week coincided with the collection for The Red Cross – (wouldn’t you think perhaps these things could be discussed at a higher level?) As the same thing happens again, we have decided this year to have a fund raising event instead – and in so doing perhaps give ourselves a better idea of what it means to have little or nothing to eat. I know many of you are so well organised that you go home and eat a wonderful traditional roast lunch after church on Sundays. On Sunday 3^rd June this year, we are asking you instead to join us in a Frugal Lunch to raise money for Christian Aid. The idea is that after the morning Eucharist we remain in church to eat just bread and cheese (or a simple alternative for those whose dietary requirements make that impossible) and, if logistics allow, some soup. We suggest a minimum voluntary donation of £3.00 per head or £8.00 for families. Do put the date in your diary and join us if you can – if the weather is warm we may eat outside.

Ascension Day is on Thursday 17^th May. In the previous two years we have hosted the Deanery Service here in Turvey. This year it is the turn of Felmersham – the service begins at 7.30pm and I do hope you will feel able to support it. Robert Evens is preaching.

You may have noticed that the churchyard is looking much smarter later and that things once hidden are coming to light. We are grateful to Daniel Hanbury, not only for keeping our beautiful yew trees well cut, but also recently for clearing the ivy out from round their roots so that they actually stay alive. In doing this several of the tomb stones that had been hidden are now visible. We are wondering if it would be possible to map the churchyard properly. Archer’s fans will know something similar is happening in Ambridge, but there they are doing a survey of the flora and fauna – maybe we could tackle that later. At this stage it would be good to have a record of the gravestones and their position. I am often asked to help trace relatives of people who once lived in the village and this would be a good starting point. If you are interested in helping with this, please let me know.

Jo Spray

The church looked beautiful this Easter – each year the flowers seems to get better and better and they add so much to our concept of resurrection and renewal after the bleakness of Lent. To make the church look so beautiful, however, requires time and effort and I am grateful to the smallish band of people who work tirelessly throughout the year, not only at major festivals. They could do with some helpers! If you are able to take responsibility for doing flowers on only one Sunday a year it will make a huge difference. I know it seems daunting when one sees the enormous displays, but it is quite simple provided you know a few basic things – like making sure the stuff in which you arrange your flowers is securely tied to the pot before you start so that everything does not tip out just as you finish your beautiful arrangement! (Oh yes, we’ve all been there!) It doesn’t need to be costly either – wild flowers like cow parsley make wonderful backgrounds for church flowers and garden flowers are a real treat – there is a small amount of money available too if you need it. If you are interested and think you would like to have a go, please telephone Ann Claypole White – or see me. Just remember the people who waved their hands at the floodlights in the football stadium when it seemed the game could not go ahead!

Jo Spray

On Tuesday 26^th June, Bishop Richard will be coming to Turvey for the Deanery Confirmation Service. This will be held at 7.30pm. Four members of our parish are preparing for confirmation and it would be good if as many of us as possible could be there to support them. Please remember them in your prayers.

The next coffee morning is to be held at 10:15 a.m. on Saturday 12^th May at 7 Elmwood, Turvey by kind invitation of Dawn Riddle. There will be a raffle and bring-and-buy stall for which contributions, especially cakes and produce would be very welcome. Last months coffee morning, on Grand National Day, was a very enjoyable event! A big thank you to Tony and Mary Smith for hosting and to everyone who helped and supported it. £210 was raised for church funds.

These took place on Tuesday 17^th April when we elected our churchwardens, officers and PCC for the coming year.

The following were elected:

Churchwardens: Mr Michael Marshall, Mr Roger Eaton

Emeritus Churchwarden: Mr Len Savage

Deanery Synod: Mr Rod Petty, Mr Bill Littler

Treasurer: Mr David Nightingale

Secretary: Mrs Laraine Coney

PCC members:
Mr David Allender
Mrs Sarah Beecham
Mr David Betts
Mr Tim Brewster
Mrs Ann Claypole White
Mrs Rosemary Gentry
Mr Daniel Hanbury Higgins
Mr Jim Lacey
Mrs Nancy Waters
Mrs Cindy Woods

The Deputy Warden and members of the Standing Committee will be elected at the first meeting of the new PCC. Copies of the accounts and annual reports are available for reading at the back of the church.

Work in hand for the PCC this year includes application for Faculty for lavatory and kitchen facilities. The installation of new, improved lighting. The provision of disabled access, including repairs to the steps outside the Lych Gate. The continuing renovation of leaded light windows. The provision of a monthly luncheon club for older residents of the village. Provision of an after school club for school aged children. Outreach into the village by means of events such as the Songs of Praise and ways of improving opportunities for teaching and learning about our faith.

Ruth was born in London, the eldest of five children, three brothers and one sister. Her brother closest in age died in an air crash a month before the war ended, at the tender age of twenty. Another brother died of a heart attack at the age of thirty nine and her sister died about five years ago. Her youngest brother now lives in Wiltshire. Ruth tells me her father was always in work (an achievement at a time of great unemployment) as a storekeeper at a local gas company that supplied fitters who did their delivered on bicycles. He knew his stores inside out and could name and place any item.

Ruth’s mother worked part time whenever she could fit it around the children. She had left school at thirteen, taking a job as a book-keeping clerk, facing a long journey onto the city each day. Ruth says her mother was a great strength in the family in every way, setting a fine example. She had ambitions for her family and always stressed the need for education. She never let life get her down and always bounced back whatever the knocks she encountered.

Ruth went to the local C of E Primary school taking the London County Council scholarship at the age of eleven and went to Central School. Due to crisis and the threat of war in 1938, she left school when she was nearly fifteen. She worked as a clerk in a factory making gas masks for a year and then left to work in the offices of the County of London electricity supply. She remained there until she was twenty. Meanwhile Ruth had met her future husband Peter, when she was just sixteen. He was a young soldier from Scotland, billeted with others in the area surrounding the church Ruth attended. The church ran a club for billeted soldiers where Ruth helped out. Peter, smitten with this pretty young girl asked her out and they started courting to the consternation of the minister who lost no time in going to see Ruth’s mother, she by the way already knew about Peter. When Peter left London, it was not long before he was sent overseas to the Middle East, leaving Ruth in London where the blitz was already causing great havoc. She and Peter wrote regularly to each other in what turned out to be a period of two years and eight months.

In preparation for the second front many of the experience 8th army were returned to England and on Ruth’s twentieth birthday, Peter arrived back on the doorstep. A whirlwind wedding took place by special licence, within three days of his arrival and they went to Scotland on honeymoon so that Ruth could meet her new in-laws. Honeymoon over Peter went to the South of England and Ruth returned to work. During the following months they were together whenever possible but it was a time of tension and great nail-biting with a background of rumours, V1s and V11s flying around. As the time came for Peter to be off again, Ruth found out she was pregnant and at the wish of Peter and her mother, she evacuated with her 11 year old sister and 1 year old brother to her new family in Edinburgh. They were all back in two months due to Ruth’s ill health and homesickness. Making good recovery, Ruth had Rosemary and looked forward to the time when her daddy would see her. When she was three months old Peter returned for seven days leave, his first trip home since the invasion. He continued to have leave every three months until he was demobilised in May1946. Ruth and Peter made their home in London near to her mother and they had two more girls, Petrina (they call her Trina) and Ruth - as their sports mad father proudly announced when Ruth as born -"his hat trick" The family worshipped at the church where Peter and Ruth had met, bombed badly during the war the church was now up and running again.

Sadly for the family Peter became ill with cancer and died at the young age of forty five. Ruth was a part time school secretary when Peter died but now had to find full time employment. After a year doing secretarial work in a building suppliers business, Ruth obtained the job of giving clerical support to a team of childcare workers. Interested in what it involved she went on a two year full time training course qualifying her to become a child care officer. She went on to become a team leader thoroughly absorbed in and committed to what was involved.

When Ruth’s mum died Rosemary suggested she should come and live in Turvey at Ships cottage which was up for rent, but Ruth was still enjoying her job in London so she took the cottage and came here for weekends and kept a bed-sit in London, how she had the energy to do this for five years beats me. Rosemary and Paul were well into church life here with their family. The older children were in the choir and two were also bell ringers, so it seemed natural for Ruth to join them. She tells me she has made lots of friends, is involved in several activities and also finds time to read, spend time with the family and swim if the opportunity arises. Rosemary and Paul, and her two other daughters have their husbands and children keeping life lively. Trina, Roger and family live in Dublin, by the sea and Ruth and Andrew live and work in London with their family around. Trina like Rosemary trained to nurse at St. George’s ,and daughter Ruth teaches in primary school. They all enjoy getting together for family occasions. Ruth had eleven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

I’ll let you into a secret, I told Ruth the interview would only take a short time but Ruth said she had a lot of years to tell me about, so a couple of hours later she was still chatting happily away, I am sure if I had let her I would have been there all day.

Those of us who were able to go to St Albans Abbey for the Vision for Action Celebrations had a really good day. It was nice to feel part of our Diocese instead of feeling that we are tucked away on the edge unacknowledged. You will see a photo of part of the Turvey Mysteries in this month’s See Round. This year Bishop Desmond Tutu is to be the guest at the Alban Festival on Saturday 23^rd June. The Festival begins in Verulam Park then there is a walk to the Abbey for prayers and services – various other activities take place during the day. If there is sufficient interest, I will a book a coach and arrange for us to go together. Please sign the list at the back of church if you are interested – this should be a particularly good day for families. The cost of transport obviously depends on the number of people who want to go, but we expect it to be in the region of £10 per head with a joint rate for families to be decided! Jo Spray

The next meeting is to be held on the 26^th April 2007 in St. Peters room Sharnbrook at 7:30 p.m. Mrs Jade Chippeton will be the guest speaker. Please contact Betty Hewett if you need more information on 881738.

I’ve learned that the Lord didn't do it all in one day. What makes me think I can?

Three boys are in the playground bragging about their fathers. The first boy says, "my dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he call it a poem, they give him £50." The second boy says, "that’s nothing, my dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper, he calls it a song, they give him £100". The third boy says " I got you both beat, my dad scribbles a few words on a piece of paper and he calls it a sermon and it takes eight people to collect the money"!

Friday 4th May: Liquorice Allsorts Clarinet Quartet

Bedfordshire based quartet perform a mixture of classical and light music for the clarinet, the barn Carlton.

Saturday 5th May: Sights and Sounds of the Swing Era

Cambs and Beds Lindyhop Experience and Ouse Valley Swing Band join forces for an evening of music and dancing from 1930’s and war years at Bromham village Hall.

Sunday 6th May: Gary Selling in Concert

The art of the organ demonstrated in this evening of music for organ and harpsichord at St. Leonard’s Church, Stagsden. 01234 269519