Stanley writes……..
An old African proverb states “It takes a whole
village to bring up a child.” Recently the Prime Minister said “I
can’t raise someone’s children for them.” These two contrasting
statements highlight the concern, not to say the malaise, which many
feel today. There is a lack of respect for authority, for older
people, for others and more seriously by many for themselves.
This litany of doom can be extended ad infinitum.
Our society is fractured and fragmented and some think that the
government should do something about it. Unwisely politicians respond
with all sorts of initiatives from ASBOS to curfews, identity cards,
using dress as a distinguishing factor, such as hoods and baseball
caps and mooting the idea of instant fines for minor offences by
children. Ministers and political parties need to reflect that social
cohesion comes from the family and communities, its roots are there
and not in Westminster. The African proverb is deep, thoughtful and
insists on participation by the whole in developing our future.
Recently parishes have been developing parish plans
to enable all the residents of the parish to have a say about future
development. Community regeneration starts here, at the grass roots.
It takes the whole village. What is happening in Bramham is a good
example and suggests a renaissance of community. Local people have
responded enthusiastically to the challenge, village organisations are
seeking new ways to engage with the parish, new initiatives are being
launched and there is a joie de vivre about the place. Most
significantly there is the will to improve and cherish this local
habitation. The whole age range is engaged in the enterprise and they
are living out the proverb. The church is taking part and learning
something of its mission and ministry as it works alongside its
parishioners. Perhaps there is a message for the church in the
proverb; it takes the whole parish and not just those who come to
church to develop our future.
The Church has also being considering the future
and our deanery has a plan which affects every church in the deanery.
There has not been the same enthusiastic response as there was to the
parish plan and this may ask questions of the church. What have we
done with the joy and the hope? Perhaps an event this month gives a
hint as to how we should respond.
Our group of parishes is holding a Family Fun Day
at Bramham Park from 12 to 4.00 pm on Sunday the 17th July.
It promises to be a great day out for all and we would love to see you
there.
As a prelude to the event there is a Family Service
for all the parishes in Bramham Parish Church at 10.30 am. We should
have more occasions where there is joy, laughter and hope.
Our mission and ministry is renewal and recreation,
a task that we share with all our neighbours and “it takes a whole
village.” Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, encourages us
“to find out what God is doing and join in.” My hope is that many of
us will do just that!
Lest we become too parochial or nationalist, let us
remember that we belong to the larger human family to whom we have
obligations. Young people from our parishes are engaged in projects to
assist children and families in developing countries.
Many individuals are quietly and determinedly
supporting needy people across the world. Groups and organisations
give of their time and money to help others. They are aware that we
live in a fractured and fragmented world and that it takes all of us
to bring healing and renewal. It takes the global village to do it.
Find out what God is doing and join in!
Stanley Menzies
FAMILY FUN DAY SUNDAY 17th July 2005
This will begin at 12 noon, in Bramham Park.
Entrance to the event is via Bowcliffe Bridge.
The barbecue will be ready for lunch time and will
continue throughout the afternoon. At 2.00 pm the Police Dog Team will
give a demonstration in the arena.
There will be stalls and side shows, children’s
races and a treasure hunt in the garden.
The gardens will be open for everyone. When you
need a chance to sit down you can have a cup of tea and treat yourself
to a cream tea. We are aiming the day at families with children under
13. The Boston Spa School Band will be there to entertain you all.
Commercial stalls can be hired for £10. Please
contact Anne Palmer 842850.
Volunteers are require all day and if you require
any further information please contact Charles Marsh, Pat Rainbow, Sue
Waring, Tom Smithson or Anne Palmer.
We had a marvellous day last year and we do hope
you will tell all your friends and come along and enjoy the Family Fun
Day.
ARCHBISHOP OF YORK ANNOUNCED
Downing Street has announced the approval of the
Queen for the appointment of the Rt Revd Dr John Sentamu, currently
Bishop for Birmingham, to succeed the Rt Revd Dr David Hope as the
next Archbishop of York.
Bishop Sentamu, who is 56, was born in Uganda. He
was educated in Uganda, graduating in Law from Makerere University,
Kampala and as an Advocate of the High Court of Uganda. He practised
Law at the Bar and at the Bench before he came to the UK in 1974. He
read theology at Selwyn College Cambridge where he gained a Masters
Degree and a Doctorate.
He trained for ordination at Ridley Hall,
Cambridge, then part of the Cambridge Federation of Theological
Colleges. Following his ordination in 1979 he served as Assistant
Chaplain at Selwyn College, Cambridge. From 1979-1982 he was Chaplain
at HM Remand Centre Lachmere House and Curate of St Andrew’s, Ham in
the Diocese of Southwark.
Welcoming the appointment on behalf of the Diocese
of York, the Bishop of Hull said “Bishop John is known in Birmingham
and London for plain speaking, and that will go down very well in the
Diocese of York”.
BRAMHAM FOOTBALL CLUB
Pre-training Sunday 11th July.
AGM
Tuesday 19th July 8.00 pm at The White Horse.
Bramham Football Club will be holding its
Presentation Night
at Leeds United, Elland Road on
Saturday 9th July.
Tickets cost £20 per person.
This includes buffet, disco and transport too and
from Bramham.
Further details from Mick 541341
BRAMHAM YOUTH CLUB’S
ANNUAL FUN RUN
THROUGH
BRAMHAM PARK
Sunday 10th July 2005 at 11.00 am
Starting from Bowcliffe Bridge, through Bramham
Park,
finishing at The Old People’s Shelter.
Approximately 3 miles
Entry and Sponsor forms available
from Bramham Post Office or you can contact Sue
Craven 01937 842991
The Phil Barton Cup will be presented to the winning
male and female 16 and under.
Cups will also be presented to the winning male &
female under 12.
We hope you will be able to help us raise funds for
new equipment
and a possible outing for the young people.
Mick Fox has kindly offered to do the BBQ
again at the White Horse after the run, many thanks
Mick.
Sue Craven
BRAMHAM UNDER FIVES “Pre-school”
Bramham Under Fives “Pre-school” is situated within
Bramham Primary School. It has full OFSTED approval and provides a
safe environment where your children can play and learn under the
supervision of qualified staff. Nursery grants are available.
Sessions are from 9 am to 1 pm, 5 mornings a week
during term time.
For more information ring Heather Richards on
01937 845238 (Mobile 0795 0545108)
or call in during pre school opening hours.
BRAMHAM DRAMA GROUP
‘ALLO ‘ALLO
‘Leesen verrry carfully,I weel zay zis, only vunce’!
That’s right! Bramham Drama Group will be
performing an adaptation of the classic BBC comedy drama ‘Allo ’Allo
next month at the village hall. The hit TV series first appeared on
our screens over twenty years ago but its blend of politically
incorrect humour and silly accents still has the capacity to appeal to
young and old alike today.
14th, 15th & 16th July 2005
With almost a laugh a minute, this show is bound to
be a sell-out.
Reserve your tickets now by contacting the
box office
Tel: 842459
Thursday, 14 July - £7, Friday, 15 July - £7,
Saturday, 16 July - £8
All performances start at 7.30 pm
Seating – Café style
Licensed Bar
BRAMHAM RAMBLING GROUP
Our next walk will be on
SUNDAY 17th
JULY 2005
Meet at The Red Lion at 10.30 am
Details of the walk can be obtained from John at the
Post Office
Any problems please contact Sue Craven 01937 842991
SUNFLOWER CLUB
The Sunflower Sunday School is an exciting and fun
way to spend the 1st Sunday morning of every month.
The Club will suit all youngsters and we are pleased
to report that numbers are steadily increasing.
The only way to find out more is to come and join us
at the
Village Hall at 9.30 am
or call Karen Smailes on 842844.
The dates for the next two Sunflower Clubs are 3rd July and
7th August
BRAMHAM IN BLOOM
There have been a number of unforeseen problems,
and the time taken to resolve them has meant that there will be less
planting than we had hoped for this Summer. We do however have a full
programme of preparatory work to take us up to the Autumn planting,
and a band of willing volunteers.
Whilst the officers of the group have taken on work
for the Leeds Festival (stuffing envelopes!) to create some capital,
none of this would have been possible without the support of Leeds
City Council Floral Initiative, in the guise of Richard Gill and our
local Sponsors.
Richard Gill came to look at Bramham, and he was
very impressed with the local gardens and the village as a whole. He
particularly mentioned how pretty and well cared for most of the
gardens were. He felt the best way to get colour into The Square would
be for residents with houses bordering The Square to put up their own
hanging baskets. He thought with support from the villagers and from
the Parish Council, we could very quickly make a difference to the
look of Bramham.
Richard has given both advice and practical support
and our Sponsors, listed below, have made a tremendous commitment to
see Bramham bloom. We hope that we can live up to their expectations.
We would be grateful for any further sponsorship,
either from a business or private individual, and Gill will be pleased
to discuss it with you if you would like to give her a ring on 843129.
Thank You to the following sponsors:-
All Saints’ Church
Bramham Garage
Bramham Village Stores
Bramham Doctors Surgery
Dave Trelfa
Silverwood - Plumbers
The Swan
The White Horse
Village Private Hire
Yorkshire Country Women's Assoc
Everyone we have approached have been most
generous. Hays Garden Centre gave us a discount and we have been
promised a discount from plants bought from Linton Nurseries. We have
received a donation from Bramham in Times Past which we have used o
purchase the two stone troughs at the Church steps.
Many people at the Exhibition said how much they
would like to see the old Village Pump back in place. Someone in the
village thinks he know where it went, so we are currently looking into
this. We think it very unlikely that it can be traced after all this
time, but we are trying. If unsuccessful we will then think in terms
of looking for a replica. What a pity it was removed in the first
place!
The Environment Group attended the June Parish
Council Meeting, mainly to seek their approval and support to our
plans.
Lynda Goddard has kindly offered to give a coffee
morning on Saturday 2nd July to help raise some much needed funds.
Please give it your support.
The Environmental Group
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