Then there is the other argument – we should not celebrate St George– after all he was foreign – if he ever really existed. He may have been a soldier who lived in Palestine and who was martyred for his faith in Lydda in about 304 AD. There were churches in England dedicated to St George before the Norman conquest, but he replaced Edward the Confessor as our Patron Saint after the crusades, when soldiers returning from the East brought back the renewed cult of St George. He is very popular in Eastern Churches and it is likely that the story of his slaying the dragon arose from his being muddled with St Michael in early iconography.

So, if not George, who should become our National hero – Roy Hattersley writing in The Times suggests Shakespeare. Now here I do begin to have a problem! For this, I think, begins to make us Nationalistic and there is a huge difference between celebrating a National Day and becoming Nationalistic. No, I think we stick with George and think what he has to teach us.

For one thing, in a multi-ethnic society, the very fact that he is an import might be good! Then he slays the dragon – the representation of evil in the world. I think I want that in someone who sets standards for our nation. That in itself should make us outward looking as we fight to overcome the evils of poverty, homelessness and disease, for example, not just in our own country but across the world - especially in places where these things really bite.

Then, of course, he was prepared to die for his Christian faith – now here we are on a bit more dangerous ground! I believe, of course that that makes him eminently suitable as a role model – but what about multi-faith England? Well, my experience of teaching and working as a priest in a very mixed faith area has taught me that most people of other faiths respect those who are prepared to stand up for their beliefs – it is the ‘undecided’ and apologetic with whom they take issue. So no problem there then – George teaches us to espouse Christian values and be proud to live by them. In my view this would be the best thing for our nation – for Christianity brings love, understanding, peace, gentleness, sharing – what could be better than that?

Yours in Christ

Jo

The hungry and destitute

The work of Christian Aid

All in our country who suffer as a result of recession.

Loving God, the birth of your Son Jesus Christ brought great joy to Mary and Joseph. We give thanks to you for everyone whose birthday we celebrate this month. May they ever grow in your faith, hope and love. We ask this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Church Flowers

Thank you to everyone who gave money for Easter Lilies and to everyone who worked so hard to display them and make the church look so beautiful.

Have you believed, Thomas, because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe. John 20:29

I just want you to know you are in my thoughts. I trust the Lord will bless you and give you a very special day.

Thank you God for Sunshine,

Thank you God for Spring,

Thank you God for sending

Every lovely thing

And Your Occupation is…? Mother

A few months ago, when I was picking up the children from school, another mother I knew well rushed up to me. Emily was fuming with indignation. "Do you know what you and I are?" she demanded. Before I could answer, and I really didn’t have one handy, she blurted out the reason for her question. It seemed she had just returned from renewing her driver’s license at the Count clerks Office. Asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation, Emily hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. "What I mean is, do you have a job, or are you just a ….?"

"Of course I have a job," snapped Emily "I’m a mother". "We don’t list ‘mother’ as an occupation…’housewife covers it" said the recorder emphatically. I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient and possessed of a high sounding title like official interrogator or Town Registrar. "And what is your occupation?" she asked. What made me say it, I do not know. The words simply popped out. "I’m a research associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations." The clerk passed, ball-point pen frozen in midair, and looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly, emphasising the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pompous pronouncement was written in bold, black in on the official questionnaire. "Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your field?" Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply. "I have a continuing programme of research (what mother doesn’t) in the laboratory and in the field (normally I would have said indoors and out). I’m working for my Masters (the whole darned family) and already have four credits (all daughters). "Of course the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities (any mother care to disagree?) And I often work 14 hours a day (24 is more like it) but the job is more challenging than most run of the mill careers and the rewards are in satisfaction rather that just money." There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk’s voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants – ages 13, 7 and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model (6 months) in the child development programme, testing out a new vocal pattern. I felt triumphant! I had scored a beat on plutocracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind that "just a mother" Motherhood…what a glorious career.

The next coffee morning will be at 10:15 a.m. on Saturday 9th 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 of cakes and produce would be very welcome. Last months coffee morning at Hall Farm was a very enjoyable event which raised £271 towards church funds. A big thank you to Celia and Daniel Hanbury for hosting the event and to everyone who helped with and supported the event. In June we have a coffee morning with a difference. Hosted by Jim and Margaret Lacey at their home in Manor Close, Carlton, it will feature a plant stall, so please bear that in mind when dividing clumps of flowers or digging out plants in your garden—all contributions will be gratefully received! Please note that this will take place on the 6th June, which is the first and not the usual second Saturday of the month.

Saturday and Sunday June 13th & 14th. Arrangements begin to be made from Wednesday 10th June. Clearing until Wednesday 17th June.

We go back a long way in Turvey! You may like to represent the history of your organisation, for example the Playgroup is fifty this year! (Congratulations to them!) or you may like to represent something with which we have local associations, like the Gunpowder Plot. If you have not been to a Flower festival, you may be reassured to know that it is usual to use things other than flowers to get your theme across – photos, objects etc! or to use plants, vegetables, greenery etc.

You will be allocated your own area within the church in which to exhibit your display. You may use as many props as you want, but we do ask that you supply your own core flowers. These may be from the garden, from the hedgerow or from the market!

In the next few weeks we will be holding a presentation at the Church to show you round the allocated display areas and to help you, if needed, with some possible ideas and inspiration for your display.

If you are interested in taking part, in the first instance contact Liz Fincham (01234 881546).

Please do not hesitate to call Liz if you have any queries regarding the Flower Festival.

We have contacted organisations in the first instance, but if you would like to make an individual arrangement you will be welcome, as space allows.

We are planning to serve cream teas again this summer to coincide with the opening of Turvey House on Bank Holiday Mondays. The dates are:

Monday 4th May

Monday 25th May

Monday 31st August.

Why not come along, enjoy a delicious cream tea and meet some of the interesting people who visit the House.

profile by Cindy Woods

Nancy was born at 3 Mill Green on the 20th March 1931. Her Father was a plumber on the railway at Bedford, her mother stayed home to look after Nancy and her siblings. She has a brother who has lived in Australia for nearly 47 years, and two sisters, Gillian who lives in Beccles and Angela who lives in Hordon on the Hill, Essex. They all went to the local infant school (then located in the high street) and then on to Harrold. Nancy left school at fourteen to go out to work!

As children they were taken to church by their Mother and Nancy was in the church choir and also rang the bells. Her dad was Chapel but he always turned up at church for special services and especially loved his daughters weddings. She says she learnt to ring before the war ended and learnt standing on hassocks with the clappers tied so as not to make a noise. She learnt along with her brother, Dave Hilson and several other village children. When the ban was lifted at the end of the war they began ringing for the Sunday services. Nancy rang for over 60 years until nearly three years ago when she was forced to stop because with her bad knee it was difficult to get up the tower steps.

Nancy went first to work in a place in Bedford that made children's clothes but she did not like it so after about a year she left and went to work at Igranic and stayed there for sixteen years right up until just before the eldest son (Glyn) was born. Two more children came along, first Ralph and then Enid. Nancy met her husband Dewi when she was sixteen, in the belfry at Turvey, he had come to watch! Dewi had come from Wales to stay with his Auntie for 2 weeks, she was caretaker of the village Hall and lived in the Old School House. Dewi’s father who had worked down the Welsh mines all his life did not want his son to follow suit and told Dewi that if he found a job whilst staying in Turvey that he should remain here. He got an apprenticeship at Igranic and stayed. He and Nancy courted, she says he was the only boyfriend she ever had, can you imagine this happening today! When he was 21 he joined the RAF to do his National Service and when he returned in 1954 for Nancy’s 23rd Birthday they got engaged. The following August they got married here in Turvey church. Nancy still managed to ring and sing in the choir as her Mother was able to look after the children and she has now been in the choir for, wait for it, 67 years this coming November! Wow what an achievement. All three children joined the choir when they were seven and all learnt to ring the bells, Ralph still rings at Turvey on occasion. When the children were a bit older Nancy went back to work part time for a while and then on to full time at Quenby Price, where she stayed for fifteen years until her retirement at aged 60. Glyn now lives in Tasmania and has a little boy (Nancy’s only grandchild and therefore very special) Ralph lives in Harrold and Enid Lives in Bromham with her husband, they are both Police Officers.

Nancy has been to Australia 4 times, once when she went with her sister and brother in law to visit her brother and 3 times with Dewi to see Glyn and her Grandson. She is not sure whether they will go this year as she is waiting for knee surgery. They have also visited many other countries including Italy, Austria, Germany, Cyprus and Croatia and the whole family have visited Lanzarote. They also visit Brittany when they stay at Enid and Johns holiday home.

Nancy belongs to the Mothers Union, does crosswords, knits, also knits blankets for the incubator babies in the neonatal unit. She did church flowers for over 30 years and still does church cleaning. She tries to support most things and bakes cakes for the coffee mornings. She still looks after the choir linen but gave up looking after the altar linen after 46 years. She says she is Dewi’s helpmate when it comes to gardening and decorating, I hope she is useful! Nancy sums up by saying she has been a lucky, happy person who is content to be around home and family.