Pope John Paul II’s place in history is assured and whatever our personal views are of the papacy, we can give thanks for his achievements and appreciate why there is a movement to have the title ‘Great’ attributed to him. He was a man shaped by his personal experience of Nazism and Communism and 1989 was the high water mark of a journey which he had begun many years earlier when he laid Poland’s sovereign claim to self-determination before the Soviet Union and the whole world. It was a claim which had profound implications for the whole of Eastern Europe. The former pope was undoubtedly one of the architects of a completely new historical era, the ending of the ‘Cold War’, which marked the dawning of democracy for most of the nation states of Eastern Europe. His contrasting characteristics of theological conservatism and charismatic communication made him unique in our times, and this was clearly recognized by the hundreds of millions who stopped to acknowledge his passing.

The former pope in many ways, was ill at ease with the rapidity of change in the 20^th century but paradoxically was able to effect profound change on the world scene. As Pope, John Paul had hoped to achieve or at least move forward a reconciliation with the great Orthodox churches of the East. However he was strongly rebuffed by Eastern Patriarchs, particularly by the Russian Orthodox, who, in the light of developments in Eastern Europe, feared the rise of a new and influential form of Roman Catholicism at a time when they were emerging from a complicit association with communism.

Now that Pope Benedict XVI is stepping out of John Paul’s shadow as his former doctrinal lieutenant, there are already many signs that he intends to focus in a new and dynamic – possibly even dramatic – way on the question of Christian Unity, which is largely bound up with the history of the European continent. Pope Benedict at 78 is undoubtedly a ‘caretaker’ pope but we must remind ourselves so was Pope John XXIII, and it was he who called together the Second Vatican Council which changed the face of Roman Catholicism. Ecumenism has long been at the centre of the new Pope’s agenda and in taking the name of the patron saint of Europe – Benedict, the saint who above all forged a new unity in Europe through the rapid spread of his monastic Rule – is perhaps a portent of the new pope’s concerns for the unity of Christians in a continent which is currently dominated by secular relativism.

Christians cannot hope to make the message of Christ heard effectively, particularly in Europe, until the question of our own unity is addressed. This is precisely why Christ himself prayed for such unity shortly before his passion and death. Our prayer and action for the cause Christian Unity is not an optional extra, it represents the very mind of Christ Himself. We must earnestly pray that the new Pope’s hints of “making all things new” in the area of ecumenism will bear great and joyous fruit during his pontificate.

The appointment of our new Archbishop, Dr. John Sentamu, is an imaginative and exciting appointment for our times.

Being himself a political refugee, who as a barrister in Uganda, had to flee for his life from the despotic regime of Idi Amin in 1974, he has also during his ministry in England as a priest and bishop tackled head on deeply ingrained issues of racism and justice.

In his opening statements as Archbishop-Elect he is challenging us to take more risks and be more creative, so that the Church of England once again becomes the spiritual home for most English men and women. There is a real sense in which our new Archbishop is a missionary priest. If we cannot listen “to our own” perhaps we will listen to the one who comes among us from afar. Pray for him and his wife Margaret.

The Rev. Peter E. Bristow

Could you provide a welcome and a bed for two young men visiting from Cape Town?

Volunteer minibus drivers needed too.

At the end of September, eighteen young men aged 14 to 19 (and their four leaders) from our Link Diocese of Cape Town are visiting the Diocese of York to join up with our Youth and Children's team.

We need to find people willing to offer them a bed and hospitality in the York area, in pairs, on the nights of Saturday 17th September and Sunday 18th September and again from Friday 23rd September to the night of Sunday 2nd October (they may leave on the 30th September to spend time in London before going home). The group includes four leaders who can be hosted individually.

contact:-

BROWNIE NEWS

We finished Brownies Tuesday 19th July with Sport Day and return Tuesday 13th September.

Some girls are leaving to go to Guides and more new girls have taken their places. There are still some places left so anyone wanting to join , please give me a ring.

Unfortunately Catherine has left Brownies due to work commitment so if anyone is interested in helping, please let me know ASAP.

I have told the Mums “NO HELPERS NO BROWNIES!” as I cannot do it by myself.

Have a wonderful summer break, I will see you all in September.

As a group we should really go under the heading of Mums, Dads, Grandmas, Childminders and Tots, although this would take up a lot of space! We currently have a Dad who was brave enough to face a room full of women and now regularly brings his little boy to our Monday morning sessions at the Methodist Church on Low Way. We have in the past had Grandmothers and Childminders who have also attended the group.

Mostly though there are Mums who come to enjoy some company and a chance for their children to play in a safe and friendly environment with other pre-school children and babies. As yet we have no Grandfathers in the group but they would be very welcome!

We will continue to run over the school summer holidays and in addition to the Monday mornings we are planning some outings so that parents and carers can visit some local child friendly places in the company of others.

There will be a

at 6 Croft Drive Bramham

2.00 - 4.00 pm

Cream Teas £1

Hot Dogs, & Squash £1

Cake Stall, Raffle, Bring and Buy,

Books, Cards, Good Clothes etc.

Gladys Horsely

A CALENDAR FOR BRAMHAM

Photographic Competition

in

Bramham Village Hall

2.00 pm - 4.00 pm

All photographs on display

Cream teas served

Entry Fee £1 for up to 4 photos

(no limit to number of entries)

All entries to be submitted with a

completed entry from and fee, in a clearly named envelope

There will be a collection box in

Bramham Post Office.

We would like representation

of Bramham past and present.

Everyone welcome

Please support this charit

Many thanks to everyone who supported our Open Garden Event at

8 Firbeck on 19th June.

We raised £300 for Action Aid

Jillian Lawson & Tess Ferres

In June, our Speaker, Mr Dave Wheldrake took us back in time with his very interesting talk on the Lost Village of Lotherton.

In July on a Sunny Sunday afternoon, we held an “Open Garden” at the home of Mr & Mrs Barton, in aid of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance Funds, which raised the magnificent sum of £288.40.

We would like to thank all our own members who worked so hard baking scones, buns and biscuits, all our friends from the village and other branches who supported us, and most of all, Lil and Derek who let us use their beautiful garden and view the fascinating miniatures in the house as well.

During June, two of our members Gill Young and Peggy Kitchen had the privilege of helping to arrange the flowers in York Minster. Every week during the year flowers are arranged in the Minster by a different organisation in Yorkshire, one of which is the Yorkshire Countrywomen’s Association. Each Branch of YCA contributed to the cost of the flowers and 12 members from the various Branches, including the 2 from our own Branch in Bramham arranged the beautiful flowers, which were much admired by the many visitors to the Minster. The YCA flowers were in place for two weeks.

Jean Dale

Slowly, slowly we are making a difference!

The Environment group explained to the YEB how we were trying to improve the environment in Bramham and asked if they would contribute by replacing the broken gates on Clifford Road. From first contacting them by phone, to the gates being replaced , it was just three weeks, so our thanks to the YEB for their prompt action.

Ernest Nichols

for the Environmental Group

Names of the winners of this year’s Fun Run will be announced in the September Magazine.

The Youth Club is now closed until September, but we shall be happy to welcome any new members when we re-open. We are open on a Friday night 7 pm to 9 pm for over 12’s. We have volley ball, basket ball, table tennis, snooker, badminton, air hockey, play station and X boxes.

The publishers of “Bramham - the Village in Times Past” confirm that all new copies of the book have now been sold. There are no plans at the moment to republish. The compilers’ time, the copyright of the photographs, all administrative costs and much of the artwork in the book were given freely, but there were, of course, considerable expenses incurred in printing and launching the book. These were covered by generous £10 sponsorships from villagers and local organisations whose names are recorded in the book, and from initial sales.

After expenses were deducted, all proceeds were donated by the publishers, who hold the copyright, together with a generous gift of £500 from a member of the village community.

Here is a list of the local organisations and charities which have benefited from the book sale, sponsorships and donation:-

1996 Drama Group 500.00

1997 Path across Churchyard 100.64

1997 Path across Churchyard 72.85

1998 Path across Churchyard 2078.84 2252.33

1998 Macmillan Nurses 300.00

1998 Martin House 300.00

1998 Candlelighters 300.00

1999 Methodist Church 34.99

2000 Methodist Church 162.90 197.89

2004 Storage Cabinet for Village Archive 1 76.24

2005 Path across Churchyard upkeep 400.00

2005 Bramham in Bloom 50.00

2005 Martin House 112.00

£4,588.46