The Parish Magazine May 2021

The Parish Magazine - May 2021 1 

The 

Parish 

Magazine 

The John King Trophy and Gold Award 

Best Magazine of the Year 2018 

National Parish Magazine Awards 

Best Overall Magazine 2020 

Best Editor 2019 

Best Print 2018 

Best Content 2016 


Serving the communities of Charvil, Sonning & Sonning Eye since 1869 

May 2021 — Pentecost 

Church of St Andrew 

Serving Sonning, Charvil & Sonning Eye 

the church of st andrew, SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF 

CHARVIL, SONNING and sonning eye SINCE THE 7 th CENTURY

2 The Parish Magazine - May 2021 

Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding to this advertisement 

Wildwood Close 

North Woodley Area 

Price £900,000 

This beautiful 4 bedroom home is set in a prominent corner position with a 

substantial garden and access to an area of private woodland for residents of the 

close. Enjoy the meticulously designed, generous living accommodation, with an 

impressive kitchen/breakfast room. Contact Haslams to find out more. 

It’s all figureoutable | Haslams.net 

0118 960 1000

Serving the communities of Charvil, Sonning & Sonning Eye since 1869 


Serving Sonning, Charvil & Sonning Eye 


The John King Trophy and Gold Award 

Best Magazine of the Year 2018 

National Parish Magazine Awards 


Best Editor 2019 

Best Print 2018 

Best Content 2016 


information — 1 

Contents May 2021 

THE VICAR'S LETTER, 5 

THE PARISH NOTICEBOARD 

— A passion for prayer, part 2, 7 

— For your prayers in May, 7 

— On Reflection: Esther, 9 

— From the editor's desk, 9 

— David Duvall RIP, 10-11 

— STAY, 13 

— Easter Scavenge, 15 

features 

— The month of the child? 17 

— 100 years of the 'Legion', 19-21 

— Pentecost, 22-23 

— Claude met the Queen, 25 

around the villages 

— PACT seeks key workers, 27 

— Pet picture offer, 27 

— Sonning Show date, 27 

— Charvil ladies to sing again, 27 

— Pearson Hall AGM, 27 

HEALTH 

— Dr Simon Ruffle writes, 29-31 

the sciences 

— Sharing your feelings, 31 

HOME & GARDEN 

— Recipe of the Month, 33 

— Bible Garden topia, 33 

THE ARTS 

— From sun to Son, 35 

— Fashionable music, 35 

— Poetry Corner, 37 

— George Webster, 37 

PUZZLE PAGE, 38-39 

This month's FRONT COVER 

May 2021 — Pentecost 

The 

Parish 

Magazine 

the church of st andrew, SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF 

CHARVIL, SONNING and sonning eye SINCE THE 7 th CENTURY 

The lighting of the new Paschal candle, 

traditionally lit from the Easter fire after 

sunset on the eve of Easter day, began 

an emotional first Communion service 

of Easter. The flames of the Easter fire 

symbolise the Holy Spirit who, seven weeks 

after the resurrection of Christ, came upon 

the first Christians at Pentecost, a worldchanging 

event that we celebrate this month 

on Sunday 23 May — see pages 22-23 

Picture: Indy Biddulph 

EDITORIAL DEADLINE 

The editorial deadline for every issue 

of The Parish Magazine is 12 noon on 

the sixth day of the month prior to the 

date of publication. 

The deadline for the June 

issue of The Parish Magazine is: 

Thursday 6 May at 12 noon 

The Parish Magazine online 

This issue can also be viewed online at: 

http://www.theparishmagazine.co.uk 

Earlier issues from 1869 onwards are 

stored in a secure online archive. If you 

wish to view these archives contact the 

editor who will authorise 

access for you: 

editor@theparishmagazine.co.uk 


Services at 

St Andrew’s 

IN-PERSON WORSHIP 

As we went to press in April the ministry 

in-person worship had been resumed in 

accordance with Church of England and 

UK government guidance. It is planned 

to hold the following services in May, but 

please check the details on the website or 

weekly sheets nearer the time. 

Sunday 2 May 

— 8.00am Holy Communion 

— 10.30am Family Communion 



— 10.30am Parish Eucharist with 

Sunday Club and STAY 

Ascension Sunday 16 May 


— 10.30am Family Communion 

Pentecost Sunday 23 May 








OTHER REGULAR SERVICES 

Mid-week Communion in The Ark 

will be held every Wednesday at 

10.00am 

Morning Prayer in May will be in 

Church at 9.30am every Tuesday and 

once a month on a Friday — this 

month it will be on 7 May. 

Compline on Zoom will be sang 

every Wednesday evening — full 

details about how to login from Rev 

Kate (contact details on page 42) 

children's page, 41 

information 

— Church services, 3 

— From the registers, 3 

— Parish contacts, 42 

— Advertisers index, 42 

From the registers 

Funerals 

— Tuesday 16 March, Stephen Andrew Mark Bennett, burial in the churchyard 

— Thursday 18 March, Simon Carl Indge, funeral service, Reading Crematorium 

— Thursday 22 March, Alan Jeffrey Richards, funeral service, Easthampstead Park



WE ARE DELIGHTED TO BE RE-OPENING 

THE THEATRE ON MONDAY 17 MAY! 

FOR MORE SPECIAL EVENTS PLEASE SEE OUR WEBSITE 

WWW.MILLATSONNING.COM 

THE WATERWHEEL BAR 

TUESDAY 4 MAY 

Opening with 

outdoor seating only. 

TUESDAY 18 MAY 

Opening with indoors and 

outdoor seating. 

Please find menu online. 

Sally Hughes would like to thank all of our loyal customers 

during this challenging year.

The vicar's letter 


Dear friends, 

The place of music within our parish life has been much on my mind 

recently. In the build up to Easter we were playing something of a 

guessing game in terms of planning services without knowing what might 

or might not be allowed. This was followed by the sad news of our former 

organist's sudden death. David Duvall served the parish in that voluntary 

role for 37 years and he was a well-liked and respected presence who 

contributed so much to our musical life. 

We then learned of our current director of music's decision to retire 

after 44 years of service at the organ, the last 6 years spent with us. Chris 

Goodwin has done much to enhance the ministry of music here and we 

will rightly honour that in August when he and Helen leave us. 

We plan to advertise for his replacement this month and there is 

no doubt that with the legacy of David and Chris, a new organ, choral 

foundation, funded and ready to be launched with the goodwill and 

full backing of the PCC, this will be an attractive post. It is quite an 

exciting time to recruit for this role as Covid has changed so much of the 

landscape for us at St Andrew's. The new director of music will have a 

pivotal role in shaping what happens as we ease out of all the restrictions 

and it is important that we appoint the right person. I ask all church 

members to be praying about this. 

Finally, what a joy it was to hear the adult choir and full organ on Easter Sunday and then to lead the whole 

congregation out to the beautiful setting of The Ark garden where we all joined in singing, at the top of our 

voices, 'Thine be the glory'. It was such a contrast to Easter 2020 with the miserable sight of a locked church and I 

felt we were turning a corner. I pray that I am right! 

PASTORAL MINISTRY 

All institutions have much to reflect on as they begin to look to the future after these difficult months. 

Things that might have once seemed important are perhaps now seen in a different light. Last year our church 

council was supposed to begin the process of establishing priorities for the next five years, something that 

proved impossible during the pandemic. It is just as well as we would probably be ripping them up now as the 

landscape has changed so much. One such area is in the field of pastoral care. A parish church like ours, which 

serves three communities and has worshipping members from 20 other towns and villages week by week, faces 

a challenge and it is one we take seriously. In light of this, the PCC has formed a subcommittee, chaired by Rev 

Kate, to look at all aspects of our pastoral ministry and to see how we might improve on what we already offer. 

The former Archdeacon of Berkshire, Norman Russell, once said in a sermon during the financial crisis 

of 2008/9 'never waste a crisis'. I recall those words now as we look to the future. While the pandemic has 

presented many challenges to the church both nationally and locally, we also need to be sensitive to how we 

can creatively use this situation to become more like the church God wants us to be. We should not just seek 

to restart everything and hope everything goes back to normal. Perhaps we are being called to assess our 

priorities and we might be surprised as new ones emerge. Who knows? 

One such priority which I believe has emerged in our home situations is the need for human contact. Those of 

us blessed with loved ones at home have — mostly — greatly valued having them around during lockdown. 

For those who live alone, the past year has no doubt been tough and because of the stringent rules, there has 

not been a great deal we as a church have been able to do to alleviate this. Well, just as soon as we are able, 

Rendezvous lunch club will restart, the Friday Youth Club has already made tentative steps to get back to 

normality, and Messy Church will not be far behind. But I wonder what more we can do? Suffice to say, we take 

this very seriously and commit to reaching out in new and imaginative ways in the time to come. We will keep 

you posted! 

Warm wishes, 

Jamie 

PRIORITIES 

HUMAN CONTACT


Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding to advertisements 

www.velvaerefit.com info@velvaerefit.com 07580 155596 

• • Loose covers 

• Curtains 

• Loose covers 

• • Re-Upholstery 

•• Tracks Curtains & Poles 

• Curtains • Re-Upholstery 

• Tracks • && Poles 

TEN YEAR GUARANTEE 

For personal, helpful service, please call 

Tel: 01844 261769 

For TEN Mob: personal, YEAR 07802 GUARANTEE 213381 helpful 

For personal, 

service, 

helpful 

please 

service, 

call 

grahamblake123@btconnect.com please call 

TEL: 0184 426 1769 

www.grahamblake.com 

Tel: 01844 261769 

MOB: 0780 221 3381 

Mob: 07802 213381 

grahamblake123@btconnect.com 

grahamblake123@btconnect.com 

http://www.grahamblake.com 

TEN YEAR GUARANTEE 

www.grahamblake.com 

Home Wellness Specialists 

Interior Design Equipment Supply Installation 

Official Partners of : 

Green Retreats - Garden Studios 

Please contact us for home design 

consultations and showroom tours

the parish noticeboard — 1 

A passion for prayer — Part 2 

By Rev Kate 

Last month, I wrote about the importance of prayer in sustaining and nurturing our 

relationship with God. As any relationship needs communication in order to grow, 

it is no different when it comes to God. I wrote about the benefits of a rhythm 

of prayer, and looked at how there are many different ways to pray. This 

month I want to suggest different and more creative ways to pray, to address 

some of the difficulties with prayer and what we can learn from the Bible. 

CREATIVE PRAYER 

There are many interactive and 

creative ways to pray and I have a lot 

of experience of introducing some of 

these to young people. However, many 

adults and children find it helpful to 

pray in different and creative ways, 

often using symbolic actions. While 

these are some suggestions, there are 

many more. Different ones appeal to 

different people. 

There are simple ideas such as 

lighting a candle or hanging a prayer 

on a prayer tree — I use many of these 

ways at school. I have bought a prayer 

tree for St Andrew’s which I will install 

later this month and there will be leaves 

to write prayers on and hang on the 

tree — you are all welcome to do this 

although due to restrictions we cannot 

provide pens, so bring your own! 

For saying sorry to God, some 

people like to write their prayer with 

their finger in sand and then smooth 

over it to symbolise God’s forgiveness. 

Another idea for saying sorry and 

asking for forgiveness is to say the 

prayer while holding a stone and then 

hold the stone under running water. 

A stone can also be used if we are 

feeling burdened by worries — hold the 

stone as we pray for the situation and 

For your prayers 

God of majesty, give rest to your 

servant Philip who, having served 

his Queen and country, has died full 

of years yet strong in spirit. As we 

give thanks for his life, as Prince and 

husband, as consort and family man, 

we pray that all that he has done may 

continue to bear fruit in the lives of 

individuals and the life of this nation, 

to your honour and glory, 

through Jesus Christ 

our Lord. Amen. 

Indy Biddulph 

then place it at the foot of a cross to 

symbolise handing your burden to God. 

You may find your own creative way 

of praying; as I have said many 

times before, there is no right way 

to pray that will work for everyone. 

Trying things and seeing what feels 

comfortable is the best way to start. 

PRAYING STRUGGLE 

When I talk, or preach, about prayer, 

I feel as though there is an elephant 

in the room, the elephant being that 

prayer can be a struggle. One reason 

is that people do not know where to 

begin. Another is that our prayer can 

sometimes feel insignificant, perhaps 

in light of bigger issues in our world. 

For others, we can doubt that God is 

listening or even doubt he is there at all. 

One thing that can help when 

prayer is a struggle is to look at what 

the Bible tells us about it. There are 

many Biblical examples of prayer and 

I would like to look at a few which can 

help. Obviously, there is the Lord’s 

Prayer, which are the words that Jesus 

gave to his disciples when they asked 

him how they should pray. While being 

a prayer in its own right, some people 

use it as a pattern for their personal 

prayer. 

When Jesus prayed he often 

took himself away from others to be 

alone. For many praying alone is their 

preferred way to talk to God. But the 

Bible also gives examples of the power 

of praying with others — Jesus says 

that when two or three are gathered 

together in his name, he is there in the 

midst of them. (Matthew 18:20) 

If life feels tough, then a good place 

to start in the Bible is the psalms. Not 

only do they talk about prayer, they 

remind us that life is full of ups and 

downs. The psalms contain prayers of 

thanksgiving, joy, anguish, doubt and 

pain. They remind us that in prayer 

God meets us as we are and is there 

with us in the messiness of life. 

A very famous passage about prayer 

is in 1 Thessalonians where the writer 


Thai Noipho, dreamstime.com 

says ‘Pray without ceasing, give thanks in 

all circumstances.’ This passage is easy 

to misunderstand. It doesn’t mean that 

we should literally be in a constant 

conversation with God. Neither does it 

mean that life will always go smoothly 

if we pray. 

I see it as encouraging prayer to 

be woven into our life; in the big and 

small, in the ups and downs. One 

way to think about this passage is to 

imagine prayer as our every breath; 

being aware of God’s presence with us 

as we go about our daily lives. 

AN INVITATION 

Another help when prayer is a struggle, 

is to talk to someone about it. Last 

month I invited people to get in touch 

if you would like a conversation about 

prayer or faith in general, and I am 

delighted that I had some response. I 

would like to reiterate this invitation, 

so please email me and it would be good 

to meet with you. 

For a starting point, there is 

nowhere better to start than the words 

Jesus taught us to pray: 

Our Father, who is in heaven, 

hallowed be thy name; 

thy kingdom come; thy will be done; 

on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread. 

And forgive us our trespasses, as we 

forgive those who trespass against us. 

And lead us not into temptation; 

but deliver us from evil. 

For thine is the kingdom, the power 

and the glory, for ever and ever. 

Amen. 

New director of music 

At the time of publication, the final 

details are being worked on but the 

post will fall vacant at the end of 

August following Chris Goodwin’s 

decision to retire. The post will 

be advertised this month and full 

details will appear on our website 

and Facebook page, as well as being 

advertised in the Church Times and 

on other websites.



advert-1...vis 1_Layout 1 15/09/2011 11:47 Page 1 

Are you thinking about 

homecare? 

BOOK A BEAUTIFUL 

NIGHT STAY WITH 

US. 

RECEIVE 15% OFF 

QUOTE THE CODE 

FST1845 

TAKE AWAY 

FISH AND CHIPS £10 

The Bull Inn, Sonning on Thames 

Berkshire RG4 6UP, T: 0118 969 3901 

e: bullinn@fullers.co.uk www.bullinnsonning.co.uk 

If you would like to learn 

more please call us on 

0118 947 6666 

www.thebmgc.com 

10% of the value of your first order will be donated to the new community hall fund when you quote Ref: BMGC-CH 

• Pull-up banners 

• Point of sale 

• Window graphics 

• Vehicle livery 

• PVC banners 

• Posters 

• Corporate branding 

• Graphic design 

• Installation services 

• Shop signage 

• Exhibition systems 

• Signage for commerce 

• Bespoke wall coverings 

For cost effective, locally produced, quality graphics call us on 0118 934 5016 

The Homestead, Park Lane, Charvil, Reading RG10 9TR 

email: sales@thebmgc.com


On reflection . . . By Elizabeth Spiers 

Esther: Being placed where and 

when God wants us placed 

When I was younger I visited Morocco. I hadn’t travelled 

outside the UK before that, and it was a culture shock. 

The clothes, the food, the language, the smells — they 

were all different to anything I had known. 

Esther, a young Jewish orphan living in Persia (now Iran) 

was being raised by her older cousin Mordecai. Esther was 

beautiful, and at that time, if a girl was a beautiful, young, 

virgin, she could be snatched off the street and sent to 

marinade in perfume and spices for a year before being 

offered to the king. 

The Bible doesn’t suggest that Esther protested when 

this happened to her. It tells us that she won favour with 

everyone, which suggests she accepted her fate, whatever she 

thought of it. And King Xerxes was so pleased with her that 

she went from being a nobody to being the Queen of Persia! 

But another story was unfolding. Mordecai had refused 

to bow down to Haman, the king’s most highly honoured 

official. Esther Chapter 3 says: ‘Having learned who Mordecai’s 

people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead, 

Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai’s people, the 

Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes.’ 

PLACED WITH PURPOSE 

Painting Mordecai and the Jewish people in a bad light, 

Haman gained the king’s permission to destroy them 

completely. On hearing about this, Mordecai sent a message 

to Esther asking her to plead their case to the king. He was 

literally asking her to risk her life because approaching the 

king without invitation could easily mean death. 

Esther was very naturally afraid. But Mordecai was 

uncompromising in telling her that she shouldn’t think she 

would survive just because she was queen. He told her, ‘And 

who knows but that you have come to your royal position for 

such a time as this?’ 

It’s easy to think that we are placed at random on the 

planet. That our birth is a matter of chance. But the truth is 

that God places us where and when he wants us. He allows 

events that seem shocking or overwhelming at the time 

because they shape us and make it possible for us to be at the 

heart of what God is doing. And so, who knows but that we 

have come to where we are for such a time as this? 

From the desk 

of the editor 


Thinking about 

communications 


Judging from much of the material that has crossed my 

desk recently, the pandemic has given lots of people, 

including some working on the front-line, the time to 

think about almost every aspect of our lives. High on the 

list is thinking about what life might be like when Covid is 

under control and takes its place alongside other diseases 

that have threatened, and still threaten, the world. 

Where we do our thinking depends on our individual 

lifestyle — most of mine has always been in the early 

hours when lying awake in bed. 

From what is arriving on my desk, one of the most 

popular thoughts is about how we communicate and 

how would we have coped without the technology that 

certainly, for my generation, was science fiction in our 

childhood. Like many of my generation, I often find myself 

asking our grandchildren how to use modern technology, 

and this is despite having studied electronic engineering 

at the time when most of the world had never heard of the 

silicon chip, and when a computer with less power than a 

mobile phone would fill a huge building. 

The fact that I ask our grandchildren for help is not 

surprising really, even in those days I struggled with the 

practical side of electronics, although I did discover that 

I could write about the work of those who could. Hence I 

became a journalist. 

FREE, BUT NOT OPTIONAL 

Throughout my career I met many amazing engineers 

and scientists whose contributions to the communications 

industry have been vital, yet their names have long 

been forgotten. I suspect that many of those working to 

defeat Covid will never be recognised in years to come. 

But that is the way of the world, even if their names and 

achievements have been well documented. 

The evidence I use for this assumption is that the 

greatest communications tool we have had since time 

began is still not recognised by everyone, everywhere. This 

is despite it being freely available to every person in the 

world and, unlike anything our scientists and technologist 

create, it never fails — although it may not always work 

the way we want it to! 

Technology, however advanced and well designed, can 

never be relied on 100% of the time because accidents, as 

Claude Masters reminded us in last month's magazine, do 

happen however well protected we may be. 

Hopefully you have worked out that this unique 

communications tool that the world often chooses to 

ignore, is prayer. It has been with us since the beginning 

of time, and it is up to us to make sure that it will be used 

until the end of time. As Rev Kate reminded us in last 

month's magazine, 'Prayer is not optional for Christians.' 

Please use God's free communications gift wisely!



Many local people will be saddened by the news that David Duvall died peacefully in his sleep in the early 

hours of Wednesday 10 March, aged 72. He, and his wife, Ann, were well known in St Andrew's Church, and 

throughout the Oxford diocese, the local community and schools. On the facing page, Richard Duvall, one of 

their four children, all of whom were baptised in St Andrew's, has written an excellent summary of his father's 

life, and below is a tribute based on the archives of this magazine to which David contributed regularly. 

David Duvall — 'glorious, fresh, 

enthusiastic and energetic' 

There must be something about St Andrew's that inspires organists and choirs — and I am not just 

saying this because our present vicar is an accomplished musician! Looking through 'The Parish 

Magazine' archives, which go back to the first issue in 1869, it soon becomes apparent that music has 

always been a fundamental part of our parish life, and that we have been blessed with some highly 

respected musicians, including David Duvall who served the parish well for 37 years, writes Bob Peters. 

The first time the name Duvall appears in the 

magazine is May 1977 when the baptism of Ann and 

David's first child, Christopher, was recorded. The 

name, Duvall was soon to make regular appearances. 

In December the previous year, Rev George Stokes, 

the vicar of Sonning, had announced that after '25 

years of devoted service' the St Andrew's organist, 

Archibald Lusty, was retiring: 'He has been playing 

church organs and coaxing choirs to sing for more than 

64 years. He had a distinguished musical career in many 

fields and has been a teacher of organ, piano and singing.' 

Elsewhere, Archibald was a highly respected 

church musician and was an honorary life member 

of the Incorporated Society of Musicians, and the 

Incorporated Association of Organists. 

TEAM SPIRIT 

After Archibald's retirement, Tom Feak, the 

village school's headmaster, with the help of one or 

two other local musicians, volunteered to play the 

organ while the search went on for a new organist 

and choirmaster. One of these volunteers was David 

who soon attracted the attention of the vicar who 

wrote 6 months later: 'I have appointed David Duvall as 

organist and choirmaster. He is young and enthusiastic 

and we very much appreciate his expressed wish to give 

his services to the Church! 

In the July 1977 issue David wrote the first of what 

would be a regular contribution to this magazine. It 

was always written in his own frank and witty style: 

Dear Editors, You may well think that I make quite 

enough noise already at the organ on Sundays without 

sounding off in The Parish Magazine as well. But perhaps 

you’ll allow me a few column inches to say a few words 

of thanks .... it was most gratifying to me as an amateur 

musician, after taking over as acting organist while 

the post was being advertised, to be asked to take it on 

myself, I can but try to make up in enthusiasm what I 

lack in formal qualifications: I’m qualified all right, but 

as a chartered accountant rather than as a musician! 

... a big thank you to the choir for all their support and 

excellent team spirit—and I hope that this means they are 

enjoying themselves as much as I am. I can tell you that it’s 

marvellous to be looking after a choir which can boast all 

four parts — a great improvement on my previous parish. 

Before I was married and came to live in this area three 

years ago, I was organist in a delightful little Hampshire 

village where the choir consisted of 10 children of various 

ages and various degrees of tone-deafness, plus one 

ancient lady — 80 in the shade — who possessed a voice 

like a circular saw trying to cut through sheet steel . . . 

David was enthusiastically welcomed by the 

congregation: In The Parish Magazine, November 

1977, 'OW' wrote: What a glorious, fresh, enthusiastic 

and energetic organist we have in David Duvall and how 

infectious is his personal enjoyment as he literally bounds 

around from organ seat to the front of the chancel steps to 

conduct the choir in a particular anthem, or join in quietly 

with them as he plays. It is all most refreshing and most 

enjoyable. Since writing this we have heard the choir sing 

a composition by him of Psalm 150 which was stirring and 

attractive. It is also good to see so many recently joined 

young choristers. 

When I served with David on the PCC and the 

Sonning Deanery Synod, it became clear how well 

respected he was as a musician throughout the 

Oxford Diocese. In 1990 he was appointed president 

of the Berkshire Organists Association, a society that 

was founded in April 1921 by none other than his 

predecessor, Archibald Lusty! 

David's enthusiasm for choral music never waned 

throughout the 37 years he was at St Andrew's. He 

often told me that he could teach anyone to sing, 

even me — it is one of my regrets that I never took up 

his generous offer. 

His willingness to help others never waned either. 

He was a school governor, a willing pair of hands at 

many Sonning village events and parties, organised 

fund-raising concerts and played piano at Churches 

Together services in Twyford. 

After David and Ann retired in July 2014 to 

Dorset, St Andrew's went through the familiar 

pattern of testing some professional musicians before 

appointing Chris Goodwin as director of music, a 

post he has held for the past 6 years, and during 

which he continued to develop the choirs, especially 

our young choristers. 

Chris, however, has just announced his retirement 

from church music, having been playing for 47 years, 

so the search is on again for a new enthusiastic and 

energetic musician to continue the St Andrew's 

Church tradition for choral and church music! 

David and Ann at their St Andrew 

David Duvall at the organ benc


'Did I just hear that?' 

By Richard Duvall 

h 

's farewell party 

Olivia Duvall 

David Woodward 

From his organ bench David Duvall kept a close eye on the timing at weddings 

David John Stewart Duvall was born in Farnham on 

16 August 1948. He was a talented child, although 

he didn't speak until he was nearly three years old 

— when he started speaking in full sentences! 

After primary education, David went to Cumnor 

House Prep School before becoming a Queen's Scholar 

at Westminster School in 1961. As a Queen's Scholar, 

he was an usher at royal events in Westminster Abbey 

such as the service of thanksgiving for the Abbey's 

900th anniversary in January 1966. He was also 

allowed to sit in the House of Commons gallery, and 

remembered seeing Winston Churchill there. 

He was awarded a classical scholarship at 

Peterhouse, Cambridge where, after 4 years, he 

gained a 2:1 in classics, and a masters degree. In 1969 

he trained as a chartered accountant and worked for a 

London company — he lived in a flat in Brook Street, 

a couple of doors from Jimi Hendrix. David remained 

an accountant throughout his working life, ultimately 

settling at a company in Reading and teaching other 

accountants how to spot fraud. This was how David 

earned money. But it is not how David lived his life. 

GET TO CHURCH ON TIME 

He was an incredibly kind and generous man, 

giving up a huge amount of time for good causes, 

ranging from doing the accounts for organisations to 

holding a collection bucket outside a supermarket. 

When at school, David had learned to play the 

piano and organ and he was involved with numerous 

choirs — I'm not sure there will ever be a definitive 

answer as to how many — as a chorister, choir 

master and/or organist. It was through one of these, 

The Bach Choir, that he met Ann Scrivenor in 1973. 

They married on 1 June 1974 and shared nearly 47 

years together. They settled in Woodley and had 

four children: Christopher, Olivia, Richard and 

Camilla. They also joined the St Andrew's Church 

choir, with David taking over as choirmaster more 

or less immediately. It was a role he served entirely 

voluntarily for the next 37 years. 

Many guests at the hundreds of weddings he 

played at will have witnessed what happened if the 

bride was late! The background organ music would be 

Chris Easton 

interspersed with a few bars of other tunes. Guests not 

expecting it might well have had a passing thought 

of 'Did I just hear that?' For those who experienced it 

many times, it was possible to hear portions of Why 

Are We Waiting, Get Me To The Church On Time and 

Abide With Me. You knew the bride was pushing her 

luck when you heard The Day Thou Gavest, Lord Has 

Ended played unashamedly in full! 

David had an incredible musical talent. He had 

perfect pitch, and could play more or less any tune by 

ear. It was an utter pleasure to hear him play either 

set pieces or his unique form of improvisation. He 

performed in many different settings, for thousands 

of people, and had nothing but encouragement for 

those trying to get somewhere with music. 

PROUD GRANDFATHER 

For his family, my Dad, was more than that. He 

was kind, loving and supportive. He didn't always 

understand and he didn't always approve. He did, 

however, always allow us to choose our own course, 

and when we fell down, he would always be there to 

chat and have a pint with. He rarely drank to excess, 

the only time I remember him being a few sheets to the 

wind, was when he was celebrating after he had proudly 

given his youngest daughter away at her wedding. 

Another side to my Dad was that he was an 

extremely loving and proud grandfather of Daisy, 

Eddie, Ben, Max, Toby and Bella. He played with 

them, read to them, and showed them the basics of 

playing the piano — and they were amazed at his own 

ability. They will undoubtedly remember, with most 

fondness, the rides around the garden on his sit-on 

lawn mower. He was their 'Papa' and he was utterly 

devoted to them. Their devastation at his death is a 

testament to their feelings for him. 

Dad would hate to have been very old and infirm, 

and he would have hated being a resident in a care 

home. He never had to give up his independence: he 

could still drive long distances, he could still play the 

organ better than many people, and he could still 

pick up his grandchildren. It is in this spirit that I am 

grateful he died suddenly without pain. He will be 

remembered and missed by many.



Independent And FREE Advice For All Individual & Company Members 

• Switch to an alternative scheme – If you are currently insured, switching to a competitor can mean substantially lower rates 

• Pre-existing conditions covered – It is often possible to include pre-existing medical conditions currently covered by your existing provider 

• Improve your coverage – We can frequently improve your cover whilst also lowering the cost of your premium 

• Complexities of different schemes – In many cases, people are over insured – we can ensure you are covered with a scheme that 

meets your individual needs and requirements 

• Full cover for cancer treatment – Many polices do not cover cancer in full – we are able to advise on your current level of coverage 

For further information, please call Steve Maguire at M&L Healthcare Solutions:- 

PHONE 01628 945944 or 01223 881779 

Email: steve.maguire@mlhs.co.uk 

quoting ref: The Parish Magazine 

M&L Healthcare Solutions is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA Reference number 554206) 

ADD Plumbing 

& Heating 

THE FUNERAL PEOPLE 

A FAMILY BUSINESS SERVING 

SONNING SINCE 1826 

READING 0118 957 3650 

HENLEY 01491 413434 

CAVERSHAM 0118 947 7007 

ALSO AT MAIDENHEAD, BRACKNELL, WOKINGHAM, THATCHAM 

TRADITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY FUNERAL 

SERVICE AND DIRECT CREMATION 

FLORAL DESIGN & MONUMENTAL MASONRY 

PRE-PAID FUNERALS, LATER LIFE LEGAL SERVICES 

BEREAVEMENT CARE 

WWW.ABWALKER.CO.UK 

Experienced plumber & 

heating engineer 

Free written estimates 

– no job too small 

Many positive testimonials 

from local residents 

‘Trustworthy, reliable and efficient’ 

‘Excellent attention to detail’ 

‘Meticulous in his work’ 

SELECTED 

Independent 

FUNERAL HOMES 

0118 934 4624 

07932 072912 

addplumbingsolutions.co.uk



STAY 

St Andrew's Youth by Westy 

STAY on Sunday 

We completed the Alpha youth 

video series and moved on to a 

new series of topics chosen 

by the young people. These 

included: friendship, 

money, mental health, 

the LGBTQ+ community, 

[Q stands for questioning], 

football and technology. 

It was suggested that we 

send a weekly scripture to 

our WhatsApp group that 

relates to the Sunday's 

topic. For example, here's 

the friendship passage: Westy reliving his youth! 

STAY in Schools 

It makes such a difference 

being back in schools in 

person. However, it means 

I’m having to test myself for 

Covid twice a week, but this 

only helps with empathising 

with the young people also 

having to test twice weekly. 

My mentoring list of students 

is now at 27 across both local 

secondary schools each week. 

I’ve also been able to deliver 

some pre-recorded assemblies 

on topics such as the parable 

of the weeds and the parable 

of yeast. 

Step by step 

Guide for 

the STAY 

Bird Box 

STAY Bird Box Building Project 

Local young people and their families have been given 

the opportunity to build a bird box during Easter in 

partnership with Sonning local hero, Ali Driver. We have 

20 bird boxes being built and put up in the churchyard and 

around the village. 

STAY Detached Project 

In partnership with Grace Church Caversham and Reach 

Schools Work Trust, we have continued to offer detached 

youth work in Emmer Green, Charvil and Sonning. 

Each week we meet between 15 and 50 young people and 

engage in positive conversations and we are sometimes 

known to relive our youth and lark about on skateboards! 

As always, please get in touch with any ideas, questions or 

just to chat. Cheers, Westy! 

0794 622 6735 

youthminister@sonningparish.org.uk 

The Persecuted Church 

Open Doors is a well-known advocacy organisation whose 

worldwide ministry in support of the persecuted church 

began in 1955 with the visionary work of Brother Andrew. 

This year Open Doors started the 'See.Change.' campaign 

and explained that millions of Christian women around 

the globe face a double persecution — for their faith 

and gender. And the persecution is being exacerbated by 

Covid-19 pandemic. 

A film on the Open Doors website cites examples of 

worrying cases of persecution — in Egypt, one woman’s 

neighbour threatened her with rape for being a Christian, 

then later led a mob that attacked her in the street. 

In India a woman was imprisoned by her own family 

because of her faith. Without action, the persecution 

of women from religious minorities will continue to 

increase, unacknowledged. 

More stories are on http://www.opendoorsuk.org 

including that of a woman in Syria who had become a 

Round-up of news items, features, and links by Colin Bailey. Please read for 

awareness, and support by prayer and any further support — financial or otherwise. 

Christian and how this was considered deeply shameful 

in her Muslim neighbourhood. Locals told her father that 

she had disgraced him. Men who came to her family’s door 

said she should be killed. 

To help, please send a message to your MP. This will 

ask them to sign a letter to the Minister of Women and 

Equalities and the Foreign Secretary to ensure the double 

vulnerability is recognised and effectively included.



An independent company 

rated good 

Home Carers Wanted! 

Bridges Home Care is growing... 

Rated highly by customers... Staff and the profession... 

Providing quality care in the Oxfordshire area... 

Why not join our close knit team? 

I love care work 

and being around 

to help people 

The managers 

are approachable 

and supportive 

My main carer 

is very good, she 

is wonderful, 

like a friend 

by Care Quality 

Commission, our customers 

and staff alike. 

The training gives 

you confidence to 

learn more 

• Top brand name flooring at the lowest price 

• Samples to view in your home/office day/evening 

• Free Advice / FreeQuotes 

• Old flooring uplifted & furniture moved 

• Fast turn around on fitting if required 

Bridges ticks all the boxes 

n✔ Full training given 

n✔ Existing skills 

& experience valued 

n✔ Guaranteed work, 

local area 

UKHCA 

Supported by Oxfordshire County Council 

n✔ Flexible hours or 

shifts available 

n✔ Supportive hands-on 

management 

If you think this might be for you, find out more... 

call Bonny or Wendy on 01491 578758 

or email bonny@bridgeshomecare.co.uk 

visit www.bridgeshomecare.co.uk 

Oxfordshire Association 

of Care Providers 

• Carpet, design and wood flooring specialists 

We supply and install: Amtico 

Carpets - Laminate - Wood - Vinyl 

Non-slip and more... 

Tel: 0118 958 0445 

10 Richfield Avenue, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 8EQ 

info@richfieldflooring.co.uk/www.richfieldflooring.eo.uk


150 scavengers 

found our eggs! 


On Easter Saturday, 3 April, the St Andrew’s youth and children’s team 

organised a parish Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt for the families of Charvil and 

Sonning. Over 150 children and young people signed up, and with the help of 

their families had a great, socially distanced, time. 

'The buzz was amazing at both locations,' said St Andrew's youth minister, 

Westy. 'There was a real sense of community and people coming together, while 

remaining physically distanced, for a morning of utter fun and enjoyment.' 

Gazebos and tables at both locations were set up with a wonderful display 

of chocolate eggs, Easter flyers, Easter word searches and Easter colouring 

activities. There were 15 clues to find and solve such as: 

— What animal is on the Charvil Piggott school logo? (A lion) 

— How high is the yellow banner? (6 feet) 

— Which century was the parish of St Andrew founded? (7th) 

— Name three activities you can do at STAY on Friday youth club? (donut wall, laser 

tag, dodgeball, air hockey, pool, football or xbox) 

Once the search was completed, and their clue sheets checked, the scavengers filled 

their Easter bags with their favourite chocolate egg and mini chocolate treats. 

Sonning pictures by 

Indy Biddulph 

Charvil pictures by 

families



Complete Pest 

Solutions 

WASPS • RATS • MICE • SQUIRRELS 

BED BUGS • FLEAS • BIRDS & RODENT PROOFING 

Leslie Parker 

parkerleslie65@aol.com 

0125 624 2135 0799 081 4143 

PROFESSIONAL PEST 

CONTROLLERS REGISTER 

2 Vyne Lodge Farm Cottage, Bramley, Tadley, Hampshire RG26 5EA 

Whatever you want to store... 

...for whatever reason - house sale and purchase 

not coinciding, travelling, house building work, 

paperwork overload or even “de-cluttering” to 

sell your house more quickly - we offer a 

friendly and flexible local service. 

With competitive rates, secure storage 

and hassle free 24/7 access, 

contact us now! 

0118 940 4163 

www.barn-store.co.uk 

Only 5 minutes 

from Henley on 

the Reading road! 

www.etsheppard.co.uk 

01491 574 644 

36 Reading Road, Henley-on-Thames RG9 1AG 

Established in 1858 

A.F. Jones 

Stonemasons 

Limited 

0118 9573 537 

www.afjones.co.uk 

33 Bedford Road, Reading, RG1 7EX

feature — 1 

May maybe a child’s special 

month or May may not be . . . 


A quick online search for children’s events in May will reveal that this 

month could be renamed ‘The Month of the Child’. May has many special 

educational, fun and fitness days aimed at recognising the importance of 

caring for our children. It is also the month to remember missing children. 

Caring for children is something that 

Jesus made a point of teaching in an 

age where it was hard to be a child, 

their only value was to be an asset for 

the future. Children were considered 

to be insurance for your old age – 

they would be there to work and care 

for you. 

Today, perhaps, some parents may 

be too protective of their children, 

while at the other end of the scale, 

others need reminding that children 

should be valued as Jesus valued 

them. 

National Children's Day UK 

(NCDUK) on Sunday 16 May is all 

about the importance of a healthy 

childhood and how we need to 

protect the rights and freedoms of 

children to ensure that they can grow 

into happy, healthy adults. 

Two special events this month 

are linked with school: National 

Bike to School Day on 5 May, and 

Walk to School Week, 17-21 May. 

Living Streets website which is linked 

with the National Walking Month 

campaign explains more about these. 

For younger children there is 

International Mother Goose Day on 

1 May, and a National Baby Day is 

being celebrated on social media on 2 

May. Mother Goose Day was founded 

in 1987 and aims to introduce young 

children to reading literature by 

starting with nursery rhymes. While 

Baby Day aims to ‘celebrate the 

smallest and newest members of our 

species and reflect on all the wonders 

and joys they will face as they grow up’. 

While there is a lot of fun, 

adventure and thanksgiving to 

celebrate children in May, we must 

not forget the teaching of Jesus who 

cares for all children, especially the 

abused and deprived. 

CHILLING FACTS 

There can be nothing sadder 

for a family than children who go 

missing. International Missing 

Children’s Day on 25 May aims ‘to 

place a spotlight on the issue of 

child abduction, educate parents on 

safeguarding measures to protect 

their children, honour those who 

have never been found and celebrate 

those who have.’ 

There are some chilling facts about 

missing children on the Perpetual 

Paul Hutton on unsplash.com 

Fostering website which says that 

last year 68,944 reports were made 

to the police in England and Wales 

about missing children. 

As we enjoy celebrating children 

in May, please remember in your 

prayers the families of their missing 

young ones, and the children 

themselves. If you need help with 

this there are some prayers at 

Ineedaword: Here’s one of them: 

Dear God, 

All the missing children are entrusted 

to your capable hands. Defend them. 

Return them to their family. 

You are the Lord who rescues the 

poor and the helpless. 

Offer them the ability to appreciate 

the complete and rich life that they 

have for them. 

Let them return home and have 

normal existence, like other 

individuals. 

Deform the Devil’s plots to cut their 

lives short. 

It is you alone who know their future 

and you have positive dreams for 

them. Amen. Amen! 

Links for the events above named in BOLD text: 

http://www.nationalchildrensdayuk.com 

http://www.walkbiketoschool.org/ 

https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/ 

https://www.cclg.org.uk/WalkThisMay 

https://www.cute-calendar.com/event/mother-goose-day/38101.html 

https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/baby-day/ 

https://perpetualfostering.co.uk/insights/missing-children-statistics-uk-2020/ 

https://ineedaword.org/prayer-for-missing-children/


Life Begins 

at 55... 

Our Later Life Lending experts are here to help 

you understand how you can use the equity built 

up in your home to help finance your retirement. 

We offer free, friendly, professional advice. 

Repay your existing mortgage 

Pay off your debts 

Help your family financially 

Carry out home improvements 

Go on holiday or buy a new car 

To arrange an 

appointment visit 

our website or 

give us a call 

mortgagerequired.com 

01628 507477 

Finance House, 5 Bath Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 4AQ 

This is a lifetime mortgage to understand the features and risks, ask for a personalised illustration. There will be no fee for Mortgage Advice. There may be a fee for arranging a mortgage. The precise amount 

will depend upon your circumstances, but we estimate it to be £599. Mortgage Required Ltd, Finance House, 5 Bath Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4AQ is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority 

reference 573718 at www.fca.org.uk. 

‘Excellent’ School 

‘Pupils’ social development and collaboration skills 

are excellent.’ 

‘Pupils make an outstanding contribution to 

the lives of others.’ 

ISI Inspection, November 2019 

Register online: rbcs.org.uk 

An Independent Day School for Boys 11-18, and Girls 16 -18 

Bathrooms &Kitchens Ltd 

Plumbing, Plastering, Tiling 

and all associated work 

Contact us today for a 

FREE 

No obligation Consultation 

and Quotation 

0778 897 2921 

markt@kingfisher-bathrooms.com 

http://www.kingfisher-bathrooms.com 

167 167 Fairwater Kingfisher Drive, Drive, Woodley, Reading, Berks RG5 3JQ

feature — 2 

May is a special month for the Royal British Legion. 100 years ago, on 15 May 

1921, the British Legion was founded in the aftermath of the First World 

War. It aimed to provide support to veterans of the British Armed Forces, 

their families and dependents. 50 years later, on 29 May 1971, it was granted 

full 'Royal' appellation. As well celebrating 100 years this month, the Royal 

British Legion will also be leading the nation in remembering VE Day on 

Saturday 8 May. 


Celebrating 100 years of the Royal British Legion 

The Legion was created when 2 million 

people were unemployed and more 

than 6 million had served in the war. 

Of those who came home, 1.75 million 

had some kind of disability, with half 

of those disabled permanently. 

Four organisations came together 

at the instigation of Lancastrian 

Lance Bombardier Tom Lister, who 

was angered at the government’s 

unwillingness to help, and Field 

Marshal Earl Haig, who had been 

commander in chief of the British 

forces. The Legion campaigned for 

fair treatment of those who had given 

everything for their country, and it 

continues this work today. 

ROYAL TITLE 

In 1922, the Legion’s poppy factory 

opened in Old Kent Road, London, 

with 40 disabled men making 1,000 

poppies a week. The first Poppy Day 

was held that year. 

The Festival of Remembrance, for 

which the Legion is best known today, 

began in 1927. 

In May 1971 it celebrated its golden 

anniversary with the news that the 

Royal patronage which it had enjoyed 

since 1925, was now being recognised 

with a 'Royal' title. 

10 years later in 1981, the 

membership was extended to all 

serving members of Her Majesty's 

Forces, as well as ex-service people. 

EVERYONE WELCOME 

Today, the Royal British Legion 

welcomes everyone to join its 230,000 

members, the minimum commitment 

is to subscribe from £17 a year. This 

annual subscription varies according 

to the local branch. In our parish, the 

Royal British Legion is known as the 

'Sonning Branch'. 

A century ago, the altruistic 

original aim of the Legion had 

affected the residents of Sonning and 

on 4 February 1924 a public meeting 

was attended by 28 people and the 

Sonning Branch was born. 

Colonel Anderson was the first 

chairman and at the first meeting 

on 21 February 1924 a membership 

fee of 2s/6d was set — today that is 

equivalent to about £8. 

The meeting also agreed the first 

function to be held on 5 March 1924 

—a smoking concert! 

Arrangements were made 

later for Remembrance Sunday in 

November, for which it was agreed 

that all members would give 3d 

towards the cost of the wreath. By 

the year end, the branch had 41 

members. 

The Remembrance Sunday service 

remains the main focus of the year 

for Sonning Branch. It is when St 

Andrew's Church has it's largest 

congregation with representatives 

from the armed forces, police, the 

Baden-Powell movement, local 

schools, church members, and many 

visitors from far and near. 

Traditionally a parade, organised 

by Sonning Branch, marches 

through the village led by the 

Reading Salvation Army band. The 

parade assembles inside St Andrew's 

where the focus is on remembering 

the service personnel listed on the 

2014: The 'Legion' parade for Remembrance 

Tom Farncombe 

Royal British Legion colours in St Andrew's 

Tom Farncombe 

parish war memorial. The proceeds 

of the collection made during the 

service go to the Poppy Appeal. 

WORLD WAR II 

Fund raising through social 

events became a feature of the 

Branch's life from the beginning. The 

first New Year's Eve dance set the 

pattern for the future. 

In 1938, with the threat of war, 

Sonning Branch made plans about 

serving the local communities in 

the hard times ahead. High on the 

list were air raid precautions, the 

training of wardens, and the use 

of gas masks that were stored in a 

hut in Woodley that was owned by 

Sonning Branch. 

Hanging on the wall of Pearson 

Hall today is a war-time planning 

map that clearly shows the location 

of the hut. 

By October 1939, some members 

of Sonning Branch had been recalled 

and supporting them became 

another high priority. 

MAGNIFICENT SUM 

Following World War II, social 

activities were again well supported 

and relatively large donations were 

raised for the national Poppy Appeal. 

The amounts raised during the post 

war years seem to have been lost in 

time until the 1970's onwards when 

it rose from about £1,000 per year to 

a magnificent sum of over £15,000 in 

2011 when Malcolm Geater was the 

appeal co-ordinator. 

turn to page 21



Follow Us 

@ShiplakeCollege 

Open Morning 

Saturday 8 May 2021 

www.shiplake.org.uk/opendays 

#ShiplakeInclusive 

#ShiplakeIndividual 

#ShiplakeInspirational 

CARS FOR 

CLERGY 

Drive away the 

new SEAT Mii 

100% electric 

Only 

£189 .99 

per 

month † 

SEAT Mii One 5dr Electric 

Small size. Stylish design. 

100% electric. And less 

than £190 per month. 

4 years’ road tax included 

3 years’ breakdown cover included 

4-year lease with a £569.97 deposit † 

For details, 

call us now 

or visit 

08000 324 900 

newgatefinance.com 

We’re delighted to make our deals 

available to all readers of The Parish 

Magazine. For more cars and offers, 

please visit our website. 

†Terms apply. Includes VAT. No purchase option. Up to 6,000 miles p.a. Other mileages available. Ask for details when you call. Newgate Motoring Solutions Ltd acts as a 

credit broker and is not a lender and can introduce you to a limited number of finance providers. Newgate Motoring Solutions Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial 

Conduct Authority, firm ref 730559, and also trades as Newgate and Newgate Finance. Newgate Motoring Solutions Ltd will receive a commission or fee for introducing you to a 

finance provider. You can request details of the commission or fee we will receive by contacting us on our Freephone number.

from page 19 

feature — 3 

100 Legion years 

Up until the 1990's whist drives, 

dances, and dinners were high on 

the agenda for fund raising events, 

as was the well being of local service 

personnel. The November 1946 issue 

of this magazine highlighted this: 

A highly successful reunion dinner for 

ex-service men and women of Sonning 

took place at the White Hart Hotel 

[now called the Great House] on Friday 

evening, 4 October. 

In the regretted absence through 

indisposition of Bri-Gen E J Phipps- 

Hornby, VC, Mr Clement Williams 

presided and proposed the toast of the 

evening — 'Welcome Home.' 

General Sir Andrew Thorne replied 

on behalf of the guests, and emphasised 

the effect on the morale of the serving 

soldier of the knowledge that his home 

was a happy one and that his family were 

being well looked after. He also made an 

appeal to young returned service men 

and women to join the British Legion. 

Dinner was followed by an excellent 

conjuring entertainment and community 

singing, and the party dispersed to the 

strains of 'Auld Lang Syne.' 

LEGION HOUSE 

In the 1970's, the Sonning Branch 

began supporting Somerset Legion 

House in Weston-Super-Mare by 

funding the Sonning Room. This 

meant local members of Sonning 

Branch were able to make use of the 

facilities offered by the Legion there. 

In November 2019, the Royal British 

Legion sold the property. A new 

Legion House was bought. There is 

not now a Sonning Room, although 

a painting of Sonning is displayed 

prominently in the new house. 

SONNING LADIES 

Many of the social activities had 

strong support from the ladies of the 

parish, so much so, that a women's 

section was formed in 1928. While the 

ladies pursued different social and 

craft activities from the men, they 

did, however, have their own standard 

bearers and paraded separately. 

The women had a tradition that 

their colours are always carried by the 

same family — today it is carried by 

the grandson of the first bearer. 

Both Sonning sections continued 

in harmony for nearly 70 years, but 

the changing shape of society and of 

Images from 

the archives 

the roles of men and women, slowly 

changed. In March 1999 The Parish 

Magazine reported: 

The Royal British Legion - Women's 

Section: Readers may be aware of the 

regretted disbanding of the section after 

70 years of service. Despite every effort, 

no-one could be found willing to accept 

administrative duties, so there was 

no other course to follow. The monthly 

meetings which were always enjoyed by 

everyone will be greatly missed. However 

it is hoped that those who participated 

in this special role of the Legion's charity 

work will continue to support it, especially 

in the Poppy Appeal. Some members 

have now joined the Sonning Branch - 

incorrectly known as the 'Men's Branch', 

and been gratefully accepted either in 

ordinary or associate status. Out of this 

adversity a new aspect of the Legion in 

Sonning may emerge. 

And it did. Today there is no 

division between male and female 

membership and all work together to 

serve the continuing needs of exservice 

men and women. 

CHANGING SOCIETY 

As memories of wartime faded, 

it was natural that the combined 

membership also slowly reduced 

and in 2001, it became apparent that 

Sonning Branch could no longer 

sustain a viable committee to meet the 

legal requirements of the Royal British 

Legion's national charter. However, 

a solution was found by becoming 

a sub-group of Wargrave Branch. 


This arrangement allowed Sonning 

Branch members to meet, parade on 

Remembrance Sunday with its own 

colours, and to collect for the annual 

Poppy Appeal in the name of Sonning. 

Thus, for all intents and purposes 

Sonning Branch continued to serve in 

the local community and contribute 

substantially to the important national 

effort of the Royal British Legion. 

However, the Branch is now fully 

operative in its own right with a full 

and active committee led by Mark 

Green as chairman. 

VE & VJ DAYS 

Today, organising the annual 

Poppy Appeal is still the major 

activity for Sonning Branch as, of 

course, is the Remembrance Sunday 

parade and service which remains 

extremely well supported. The 

Sonning branch has also been at the 

forefront of all the other wartime 

anniversary's particularly VE & VJ Day 

commemorations. 

Typical of these events was a service 

of commemoration and celebration 

held in St Andrew's Church in July 

2005 to mark the 60th anniversary of 

the VE and VJ Days combined with 

the 10th anniversary of signing the 

twinning accord with Ligugé, France. 

This article is based on material held in the 

archives of Sonning Branch and The Parish 

Magazine, and our thanks go to Grp Capt 

Colin Pierce, President of Sonning Branch, 

for his help — editor.


feature — 4 

There's much more to the number 

seven than being lucky 

It probably won't surprise you to hear that the number seven is the world's most popular lucky number but 

the Bible reveals there is much more to this special numeral. It is clearly one of God's number's that are a 

feature of his creation. This month we celebrate Pentecost, a feast day that has its roots in seven. 

Seven is not only important for Christians, it is held 

in high esteem in many religions and cultures, for 

example there are the seven heavens of Judaism and 

Islam, and the Chinese belief of the seven elements 

of the world — water, fire, earth, wood, metal, yin 

and yang. It's why the traditional Jewish menorah 

has seven candle sticks — not to be confused with 

the nine candlesticks of the Hanukkah — and why 

Muslims walk seven times around the Holy Kaaba in 

Mecca. 

GOD'S NUMBER 

The Roman Catholic teaching of Pope Gregory I 

in the 6th Century identified the seven deadly sins 

which are now widely recognised as: pride, greed, 

lust, envy, gluttony, wrath and sloth. 

There are many natural features of the world 

where seven plays a part — surfers will tell you that 

they surf in sets of seven waves, the seventh being 

the largest. Others include the seven colours of the 

rainbow, the seven continents of the world, and the 

seven wonders of the world. 

In the Bible, from the creation stories in Genesis, 

to the end of time in Revelation, the number seven is 

mentioned over 700 times — is this a coincidence? — 

hence, it is often referred to as God's number. 

God created the world in six days, and when 

his work was complete, he rested on the seventh 

day, thus seven is symbolised in the Bible as 

completeness. 

A menorah depicted in a mosaic at the Israeli parliament 

spiroview, dreamstime.com 

In the Old Testament book of Isaiah (11.2) we 

read about the seven spirits: the spirit of the Lord, 

wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, 

and the fear of God. 

In Deuteronomy 7 the Israelites are told: When the 

Lord your God brings you into the land you are entering 

to possess and drives out before you many nations — the 

Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, 

Hivites and Jebusites, seven nations larger and stronger 

than you. 

But it is the New Testam 

writings of John that seven 

the Gospel of John we find 

of Jesus. For the Jewish peo 

name for God that they wer 

write — in Hebrew YHWH 

in Exodus 3:13-15. It is trans 

such as 'I am who I am', 'I am 

am and will be'. 

When Jesus says: I am t 

the Light of the world; I am 

Shepherd; I am The Resurre 

The Way, Truth and The Life 

he is implying that he is the 

NO LIMIT TO F 

In his gospel, John also 

completeness demonstrated 

seven miracles that he calls 

changing water into wine, h 

son, healing a paralytic, fee 

on water, healing a man bor 

Lazarus to life. 

John's book of Revelatio 

Christ writing to seven chu 

and objects that appear sev 

candlesticks, trumpets, pla 

While seven is used to s 

multiples of seven are used 

even higher degrees of com 

aim for. In Matthew 18:21, 2 

came up and said to him, 'Lord 

brother sin against me, and I 

seven times?' Jesus said to him 

times, but seventy times seve 

Basically, Jesus is tellin 

to the number of times we s 

Muslims pilgrims walk around the Kaaba seven times in Mecca 

Abdul Razak Abdul Latif, dreamstime.com 

ULTIMATE COM 

It is, however, generally 

ultimate completeness is se 

is, 49. Before his crucifixion 

that God would send someo 

namely, the Holy Spirit. Jes 

before the Jewish Passover 

from around the world visit 

them would stay there for t 

after which, on the 50th da 

day of Shavuot which was a 

first fruits of the wheat har 

Pentecost by some Jews. 

It was on this feast day t 

promised by Jesus arrived a 

with the wisdom and know 

to join them in living the w 

perfect timing. The thousan 

Jerusalem became follower


ent, particularly in the 

comes into its own. In 

the seven 'I am' sayings 

ple 'I am' was the sacred 

e not allowed to say or 

. God told Moses his name 

lated in a variety of ways 

that I am', or 'I am who I 

he Bread of Life; I am 

the Gate; I am The Good 

ction And The Life; I am 

; and I am the true Vine, 

Son of God. 

ORGIVENESS 

writes of Christ's 

to the world through 

the seven signs of Christ: 

ealing a royal official's 

ding the 5,000, walking 

n blind, and raising 

n, which begins with 

rches is full of events 

en times, for example, 

gues and seals. 

ymbolise completeness, 

in the Bible to emphasise 

pleteness that we should 

2, we read: Then Peter 

, how often shall my 

forgive him? As many as 

, 'I do not say to you seven 

n.' 

g us that there is no limit 

hould forgive someone. 

PLETENESS 

accepted that the 

ven times seven, that 

, Jesus told his disciples 

ne to watch over them, 

us was crucified just 

festivities when Jews 

ed Jerusalem. Most of 

he next seven weeks, 

y there would be the feast 

thanksgiving for the 

vest. It came to be called 

hat the Holy Spirit, 

nd filled the disciples 

ledge to encourage others 

ays of Jesus. It was 

ds of people present in 

s of the risen Christ and 

gayatri-malhotra, unsplash.com 

returned to their homelands with the good news of 

salvation. New churches sprang up around the world. 

The work of Jesus on earth was fully completed 

49 days (seven times seven) after his crucifixion 

and resurrection at Easter. Surely this must be the 

ultimate example of why seven is much more than 

a lucky number, it is God's number, a number that 

demonstrates his completeness in all things physical 

and spiritual. 

Since it was launched on 1 March, thousands of 

Christians from all denominations have registered 

to say that they will be 'in one accord' as part of the 

UK and Ireland's largest online Virtual Pentecost 

Prayer Gathering taking place on Sunday 23 May. 

The 'In One Accord' events will unite Christians 

and churches in two virtual gatherings — a church 

service in the morning and a national virtual 

celebration style event in the afternoon. The call 

this coming Pentecost Sunday is to unite the church 

around praying for revival, unity and healing for our 

communities as we emerge from the pandemic. 

When the world 

changed forever 

Pentecost window in Bayeux 

The first Pentecost took place on the Jewish festival 

of Firstfruits, which was observed at the beginning 

of the wheat harvest. It was seven weeks after Jesus 

was crucified, or 50 days including Easter Sunday, 

hence 'Pentecost' which is a name derived from the 

Greek 'Pentēkostē' which means fiftieth. 

A feast day to celebrate the country’s wheat harvest 

does not sound exactly world-changing, but that year, 

it became one of the most important days in history. 

It was the day that Jesus sent the Holy Spirit, the day 

the Christian Church was born. 

Jesus had told his disciples that something big 

was going to happen, and that they were to wait for it 

in Jerusalem, instead of returning to Galilee. He had 

plans for his disciples, but knew they could not do the 

work themselves. They needed God's help. 

REVERSED CURSE 

Jorisvo, dreamstime.com 

They waited in Jerusalem, praying together with 

his other followers, and then on that fateful morning 

there was suddenly the sound of a mighty rushing 

wind. Tongues of flame flickered on their heads, and 

they began to praise God in many tongues, to the 

astonishment of those who heard them. The curse of 

Babel (Genesis 11: 1- 9) was dramatically reversed. 

That morning the Holy Spirit came to indwell 

the disciples and followers of Jesus. The Church was 

born. The Christians were suddenly full of life and 

power, utterly different from their former fearful 

selves. The change in them was permanent. 

Peter gave the first ever sermon of the Christian 

Church that morning, proclaiming Jesus was the 

Messiah. His boldness in the face of possible death 

was in marked contrast to the man who had denied 

Jesus 49 days before. 3,000 people were baptised. 

It was not the first time the Holy Spirit had acted 

in this world. Throughout the Old Testament there 

are accounts of how God’s Spirit guided people and 

strengthened them. But now, because of Christ’s 

death and resurrection, He could indwell in them 

giving every Christian have the confidence that Jesus 

was with them constantly.



Independent 

Financial Advice 

Advice and guidance on: 

Retirement & Investment Planning - Mortgage Planning (including Equity Release) 

Long Term Care Insurance - 

Protection, Trusts and Income Planning 

We cut through the jargon to keep it simple and embrace the latest technology to provide you with your own 

Personal Finance Portal, designed to give you a holistic view of your finances. 

For more information, please contact Andrew Gane: 

M: 07796 268 739 E: andrewgane@pennymatters.co.uk W: https://pennymatters.co.uk/andrewgane.html 

Andrew is a member of vouchedfor 

https://www.vouchedfor.co.uk/financial-advisor-ifa/bracknell/01665-andrew-gane 

Remember that past performance is not a guide to future returns and that the value of investments and the income from them can go 

down as well as up. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Some mortgages are not 

regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Advice fee structure available on request. First appointment at our cost. 

Pennymatters Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered as a Limited Company in England 

and Wales No. 7331832. 

Uncompromising Excellence in Hair Care 

Spring Issue 

|Hair Cutting and Beauty Therapy 

|Experts in Colouring and Permanent Waving 

|Hairdressing for Men, Women and Children 

@stylebyjulieReading 

@stylebyjulie 

@stylebyjulieRG 

Private Hair 

and Beauty Salon 

Badgers Rise, 

Woodley, Reading, 

RG5 3AJ 

0118 4378178 

salon@stylebyjulie.co.uk 

www.stylebyjulie.co.uk 

salon@stylebyjulie.co.uk 

Banish limescale with a 

TwinTec Water Softener 

• Enjoy a scale-free kitchen and bathrooms 

• Protect and improve the efficiency 

of your boiler 

• Lower your energy bills 

• Reduce time spent cleaning 

• Enjoy softer skin and shinier hair 

No buttons or routine maintenance: it’s easy 

Call for a free installation 

survey or quote 

Twyford: 0118 9344485 

Finchampstead: 0118 9733110 

thamesvalleywatersofteners.co.uk 

10 

YEAR 

GUARANTEE 

THAMES VALLEY 

WATER SOFTENERS

feature — 5 


The day Claude took off his muddy boots for the Queen! 

Claude explains to the Queen why he was there 

The first time I saw the Queen was 

in the early 1950’s when she was a 

princess, writes Claude Masters. 

I was at a scouting rally in Windsor 

Great Park and walking along a 

footpath with my good friend, Tojoe, 

we heard a vehicle approaching from 

behind and moved to the side to see 

a large black limousine with the two 

princesses sitting high up in the open 

topped back. 

They were clearly meant to be seen 

as they were heavily made up and 

looked like two painted dolls. I suppose 

we should have sprung to attention 

and saluted but we just stood and 

gawped. I did catch Princess Margaret’s 

eye though. 

ATTENTION! 

The next time I saw Her Majesty 

was in 1955 when, as a National Service 

aircraftsman, I was one of those lining 

the route she took when she visited 

Southport. 

We had not long been issued with 

brand new uniforms and for this 

event they were individually bespoke 

tailored, our new boots were re-heeled 

and we wore white webbing. So with 

peaked cap and rifle at 'Present Arms' 

I was standing smartly to attention 

when the Queen passed by this time. 

Queen Elizabeth II was crowned 

on 2 June 1953. A lot of effort was put 

into making it a big day and festive 

decorations were put up everywhere. I 

was keen on photography and sought 

out the best of them. Everyone was 

looking forward to a warm June day 

but it was a cold and wet one. However 

that did not stop crowds gathering 

Reading Railway Station decorated for the Queen 

Heelas, one of Reading's best decorated shops 

at nationwide bonfire beacons in the 

evening. 

In 1978 the Queen officially opened 

the Hexagon theatre and the nearby 

Civic Offices in Reading. 

The hexagonal office block, now 

demolished, was of unusual design 

with a large open core which had four 

lifts and stairs. 

NOMINATED 

The offices were open planned and 

the floors were set spirally around it 

so you were able to walk from the staff 

canteen at the top, down through each 

level to the ground using short flights 

of stairs without going through any 

doors or using the core. 

This is what the Queen did when 

she visited the Hexagon. The plan was 

that she would be welcomed by the 

manager of each department but the 

chief architect, who was expected to 

greet her in our offices, had republican 

tendencies and had taken the day off. 

I had been nominated by my 

colleagues to be in the office while 

the Queen was visiting so I stood by 

an empty desk near the steps waiting 

for her arrival. 

OPEN MOUTHS 

When the Queen came down 

the steps and saw no one to greet 

her she asked 'Where are we now?' 

Surprisingly no one in her entourage 

of councillors, officials and press men 

knew and looked anxiously at one 

another with open mouths. 

After a moment of embarrassing 

silence, I, having been told to speak 

only if spoken to, said 'You are in the 

architects department Ma’am' 

Her Majesty then approached me 

asked what I did so I told her how I 

came to be there when I normally 

worked on a muddy building site! 

Fortunately, a photographer 

recorded the meeting, but when one 

of my granddaughters was shown the 

photo she didn’t recognise either of us! 

Reading's Victorian town hall

26 The Parish Magazine - May 2021 Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding to advertisements 

TREAT YOURSELF TO A 

SPRING STAYCATION 

from 17th May 2021 at 

info@thegreathouseatsonning.co.uk 

0118 969 2277 l www.greathouseatsonning.co.uk 

Bright and Fresh 

The Professional Carpet, 

Upholstery, Curtain and 

Leather Cleaning Specialist. 

0118 9883026 ~ 07956137308 

www.brightandfresh.co.uk 

info@brightandfresh.co.uk 

Plumbing & Decorating Service 

Complete Project Refurbishment 

Repairs to Bathroom Suites, Showers 

Toilets, Basins, Radiators and more ... 

Full Interior and Exterior Decorating 

Reliable, Clean and Efficient 

DAVID SHAILES 

0770 860 2442 i.plumber@btinternet.com 

www.iplumberuk.com 

Interior & exterior blinds, 

shutters, awnings 

& screens 

Always excellent service 

and great value 

www.blinds-reading.co.uk 

Call John at Blinds Direct 

on 0118 950 4272 

johndacre@blinds-reading.co.uk

around the villages 

PACT seeks key worker adopters 


Would you like a 

picture of your pet? 

Adoption charity Parents And 

Children Together (PACT) is 

appealing for people from key worker 

professions to consider adoption. 

The agency would like to hear from 

key workers — nurses, teachers, 

police officers, social workers, 

doctors, ambulance staff, child 

minders and care workers — because 

their professional experience and 

skills typically make them strong 

adopters. They are also valued by local 

authorities when looking for a good 

home for children in care. 

PACT began helping families over 

100 years ago when Bishop Francis 

Paget held a passion to address the 

vulnerabilities of needy families 

living in the Oxford Diocesan area in 

1910. Today it is rated by Ofsted as 

outstanding. Last year it placed 89 

children with 66 families through its 

adoption services. 

INCREASING NEED 

Throughout the Covid pandemic, 

children have continued to be placed in 

care and the need for adoptive families 

is increasing. 

PACT is open to couples or single 

people, those from the black and 

minority ethnic communities and 

LGBT+ who can consider adopting 

children over four years old, sibling 

groups of two or more, children with a 

black or minority ethnic background 

and children who may have physical or 

learning disabilities. 

PACT holds regular information 

events where anyone considering 

adoption can find out more about 

what’s involved in the adoption 

process and hear from an adopter 

about their own experiences. 

To book a place, call: 0300 456 

4800. For more information about 

PACT: http://www.pactcharity.org 

Ben Wickes on unsplash.com 

New project to start 

for local female voices 

From September there will be a new 

choral venture for female voices 

led by local music teacher and choir 

director, Suzanne Newman. 'The 

Project Singers' will undertake a 

series of choral projects starting 

with A Night at the Movies. This will 

run from September to March 2022 

and culminate in a concert at Norden 

Farm Centre for the Arts on 26 

March. Songs include: City of stars, 

We have all the time in the world, Deep 

in the meadow, God help the outcasts, 

Hopelessly devoted to you and Fame. 

There will be a junior group for 

girls, 10-18 years, with rehearsals 

on Sunday evenings, 6.15-7.45pm, in 

Charvil Village Hall. 

The senior ladies group will 

rehearse in the hall on Mondays, 

8-9.30pm. 

Auditions for both groups will be 

held on Zoom in May and June. For 

more details, contact Suzanne on 

0118 934 0589 / suzanneynewman@ 

btinternet.com 

Sow for victory! 

It's time to sow and plant this year's 

prize winning vegetables — that's the 

message from the Sonning Village 

show organisers who are planning 

this year's show on Saturday 11 

September at Sonning CofE School. 

Let's hope for good growing weather 

and bumper crops. The show schedule 

will be published in about two months. 

Pearson Hall AGM 

The Pearson Hall Annual General 

Meeting will be in the committee 

room on 30 June 2021, at 6.30pm for 

a 6.45pm start. Everyone who uses 

Pearson Hall is welcome to attend. 

Janette Crouch has been using 

lockdown to take up her paint 

brushes again and has been painting 

other people's special pets, some of 

which are shown above. In return 

the owners have made donations to 

charity. Janette is now offering to do 

the same for people who would like a 

painting of their favourite pet. She 

suggests a £30 minimum donation 

for St Andrew's Church. You can 

contact her on: 

janette.crouch1@btinternet.com



WATER 

SOFTENER 

SALT 

Tablet/Granular 

25kg from 

£9.99 £6.50 £6.99 

per bag 

Block Salt 

2 x 4 kg 

per bag 

Winter/Rock Salt 

20kg 

per bag 

FREE LOCAL 

DELIVERY 

MINIMUM ORDER REQUIRED 

Email: 

Martyncollins@portmanpm.com 

ORDER ON LINE AT 

www.salt-deliveries-online.com 

Telephone: 

0778 577 2263 

0118 959 1796 

Unit 2, 6 Portman Road 

Reading RG30 1EA 

studio dfp 

complete graphic 

and web design 

service on your 

doorstep 

Since 1984 · 0118 969 3633 

david@designforprint.org 

MUCK ‘N’ MULCH 

THE LOCAL COMPOST COMPANY 

Organic all purpose horse manure compost 

Fully composted and milled to fine crumbly texture 

Clean and pleasant to handle — weed free & pet friendly 

10 BAGS MINIMUM DELIVERY 

Half Pallet: 35 bags — Full Pallet: 70 Bags 

FREE DELIVERY — SPREADING & MULCHING SERVICE AVAILABLE 

24 hour: 0783 143 7989 T: 0179 357 5100 

www.muckandmulch.co.uk 

Luxury Senior Living with Award 

Winning Care 

ASCOT GRANGE 

Signature’s care home in Marlow offers 

exceptional levels of person-centred care and 

the highest possible quality of life. 

Our suites are both luxurious and homely, 

with many suitable for couples, enabling them 

to move in together. 

We offer residential, nursing and separate 

dementia care and welcome both permanent 

residents and those looking for a respite or 

convalescent stay. 

To find out more or to arrange a visit to our lovely home, please contact Sarah Loveday – Client Liaison Manager 

01628 702319 | enquiries.cliveden@signaturesl.co.uk | signature-care-homes.co.uk 

210 Little Marlow Road, Marlow, SL7 1HX

As I write this, there is controversy across the UK and 

Europe about the risk of thrombosis and the use of 

Coronavirus vaccines, but there is sunshine ahead. 

Thrombosis in humans is a very common cause of death. 

1 in 4 people die from conditions related to blood clots. 

60% of clots occur within 90 days of hospitalisation. 

The NHS introduced surveillance and prevention 

programmes in 2007 and deaths have reduced 20% since 

this intervention. This is actually a remarkable, yet, under 

reported success, but 'red tops' don’t sell on good news 

stories! 

The vaccine has been implicated in cases of Venous 

Thromboembolism (VTE). These are clots in the veins 

rather than arteries. Heart attacks are caused by clots and 

blockages in the coronary arteries. 

To understand this further we have to know what 

the incidence of the disease is and not confuse this with 

prevalence. The incidence of a disease is the number of 

cases over a specified time, where as the prevalence is the 

total number of patients with the disease, new or existing. 

The incidence of VTE per year in the UK is 2 in 1,000 of 

the population. 

Clot in the deep veins of the leg (DVT) is the most 

common form and problem from this is when ‘bits’ from 

these clots break off and travel through the blood stream 

to the heart where they get passed into the arterial system 

of the lungs then block small arteries. The clotting system 

— a balanced mechanism that protects us from bleeding 

out or clotting our blood internally — now harms us as 

further clots build up. This is Pulmonary Embolism (PE) 

and the clot formation infarcts — blocks the blood supply 

— to the lung. The lung tissue, ironically, cannot receive 

oxygen from its blood supply and dies. Smaller clots can 

pass through and can trigger stroke. The annual incidence 

of PE is 7-8 in 10,000. 

30 cases of VTE after vaccination with the Astra Zeneca/ 

Oxford (AZ/O) vaccine have been reported. On its own 

this statistic is very concerning, however the subsection 

title is less sensational and is more useful. There have 

been 18 million doses of AZ/O given. Therefore, if we 

blame the vaccine it causes one person in 600,000 people 

receiving the vaccine to have VTE. The annual incidence 

of VTE in 18 million people would be 36,000/year. As our 

American colleagues would say, ‘do the math!' 

31% of patients on intensive care units have VTE events1 

in one study, overall the figure is 21%. Mortality of these 

patients was 74% higher than non-VTE patients with 

Covid.2 

If we can skip any complicated mathematics or deep 

understanding of epidemiology, the AZ/O vaccine is 

recognised to be over 80% effective in preventing serious 


HEALTH — 1 

Dr Simon Ruffle writes . . . about Thrombosis 

VTE 

DVT 

30 : 18,000,000 

31% 

There's sunshine ahead — spring magnolia 

disease from Covid infection. Thus, a case for claiming 

that being vaccinated will prevent and not cause cases of 

VTE. I know the logic in this is stretching causation and 

correlation but this does not diminish the fact that the 

vaccination saves more lives. 

MMR 

We’ve been here before with vaccination. In 1998 cause 

and correlation got confused with MMR vaccination, 

bowel disease and autism. The graph below shows the 

increase in diagnosis of autism and the rise in organic 

food sales in the US. It is, of course, statistically correct! 

DESIRE 

Simon Ruffle 

Humans desire certainty and avoid uncertainty. This need 

to find cause in events is hard wired in us. Who can rest 

when 2m tall grass is rustling in front of us? It’s either 

food or the lions! 

Would we blame the vaccine if we were unfortunate 

enough to have an accident on the way home from having 

one? 

There is no doubt that vaccinations, medicines and 

surgery have unwanted side effects; some of these are 

serious or fatal. This has to be balanced against the overall 

outcomes. A bit of carriers advice — if you cannot live 

with uncertainty do not go into medicine as a career. The 

turn to page 31



The Window Cleaner 

• Interior & exterior 

• All windows, frames, sills & doors 

• Conservatory cleaning 

• Fully insured 

Ever wondered why 

Mrs Miggins cat 

needed sleeping 

pills? 

We provide a reliable, professional service, ensuring that your home 

will sparkle. For a free quote call or email 

07967 004426 

thewindowcleaner1@googlemail.com 

24 hours service | Private client parking | Private chapel of rest 

Free home visits | Pre-paid funeral plans | Full written estimate 

Woodland funerals | Religious and non-religious services 

Are you a naturally curious, 

compassionate, caring person 

who wants to be part of the 

solution? 

Tel: 01491 573370 

www.tomalins.co.uk tomalin@btconnect.com 

Anderson House, 38 Reading Road, Henley-On-Thames, RG9 1AG 

A Family Run Independent Funeral Service 

We’re hiring exceptional home 

care assistants. 

Contracts for anything from a 

couple of hours per week to a full 

structured career path in care. 

Call us if you want the answer...! 

0118 9323 865 

www.q1care.co.uk/careers 

Unit 7, The Old Mill Trading Estate 

Pangbourne, Berkshire, RG8 7HY

HEALTH — 2 

from page 29 

Thrombosis 

early symptoms of deadly illness often mimics minor 

illnesses and the classic patterns of progression can be far 

from ‘classic.’ Looking at events after they have occurred 

is often fraught with assumption and accusation. 

RECOGNITION AND PREVENTION 

DVT often starts with calf pain. This can feel like a 

muscular strain; and calf strain is far more prevalent than 

DVT. DVT will cause the leg to swell, so will a strain, but 

less so. The calf may feel hot and tender, so can a strain. 

Inflammation may cause the skin to be red, less likely 

in a strain. If there is history of injury, the likelihood 

of a strain increases. Recent surgery, active cancer or 

immobilisation increases the chance of DVT. 

A combination of these factors gives us a Well’s score.3 

Blood tests and ultrasound will give us more certainty. 

Prevention of DVT is via anticoagulation after surgery, 

compression of the legs where mobility is reduced — flight 

socks! — and being normal weight and having diabetes 

and other medical conditions well controlled or absent. 

Pulmonary embolism can present with minor 

symptoms. Chest strain, cough and feeling a little short 

of breath are symptoms of pleurisy or chest infection as 

well as pulmonary embolism. Often, PE presents acutely 

(ie suddenly). Awareness of the other precipitating factors, 

the same as for DVT, is vital in being suspicious of the 

diagnosis. 

BREAKING THE GLOOM 

This article has been a bit stodgy and gloomy. However the 

success of the NHS prevention programme is a fantastic 

result. The roll-out of the vaccine is also tremendous with 

75% of all vaccinations being given in the community by 

primary care/GP services. 

When it is your turn, please have the vaccination. The 

chances of being seriously ill from Covid will be with us 

for years to come and the vaccination is safer than driving 

to and from the centre where you get vaccinated. 

There is sunshine ahead and if we continue to get the 

jabs rolled out and continue Covid safe practices — hands 

space, face and fresh air — we will all be able to get out 

and enjoy a more normal life. 

THANKS! 

Twyford, Wargrave and the Woodley practices are 

enormously grateful for their staff and their communities, 

in Sonning, Charvil and surrounds, for the effort and 

volunteering that has made it possible to deliver the 

vaccination. You know who you are! Much love and 

gratitude to you all. 

References 

1. BTS Guidance on Venous Thromboembolic Disease in patients with 

COVID-19 V3.0 8 February 2021 

2. www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(20)30383-7 

3. patient.info/doctor/wells-criteria-for-dvt 

the sciences 


Sharing your feelings with God 

Jay Mullings on unsplash.com 

By Dr Ruth M Bancewicz, Church engagement director at The Faraday 

Institute for Science and Religion in Cambridge. 

The question of suffering comes up regularly in 

discussions about science and faith. I once visited a 

school to speak to some of the older teenagers. One of the 

pupils had sadly died from cancer a few weeks before and 

his classmates asked, 'How God could let this happen?' 

These young people’s questions about where God was in 

this situation were important. But the chaplain also gently 

reminded the class that their friend’s family were Christians, 

and that they were finding that their experience of loss had 

brought them even closer to God than before. 

One way that grief can bring us near to God is when we 

tell him exactly how we feel. The Biblical writers had no 

scruples about expressing themselves to God, giving vent 

to emotions we often hold back in a church context. 

As my colleague, Roger Abbott, has written in his book 

on 'Unanswered’ Prayer': Let us not confuse reverence with 

spiritual prudishness. Perhaps honesty, the way it feels, is 

precisely what God is waiting to hear from us. 

OUTPOURING OF SADNESS 

About one third of the Psalms express some form of 

grief. The book of Job is a series of responses to one man’s 

suffering as he loses his children, property and health in 

quick succession. 

Lamentations is also one long outpouring of sadness at 

what happened to Israel under the Babylonians. Some of 

the prophets, especially Jeremiah, also express their pain 

at these sorts of events — events which reflect something 

of God’s own feelings at the suffering of his people. 

Most of these Biblical authors would have had access to 

scriptures that encouraged them to turn to God whatever 

the circumstances. Emboldened by their knowledge of his 

character and promises, these divinely inspired writers 

even express their anger to God about the things he lets 

happen, or complain that he seems to act unfairly or 

ignore them in their plight. 

Not only do these people let out all their feelings 

without fear of reprisal, but they also clearly expect a 

helpful answer. Some record a resolution to their troubles 

— often simply because God speaks to and comforts 

them, enabling them to keep going. 

The Biblical writers demonstrated that God can handle 

pretty much anything — anger, blame, bitterness — if 

we are actively looking to him for help. As Pete Greig of 

the 24-7 prayer movement has written: Pain that is not 

expressed can never be transformed.



For a helpful professional service 

FIELDSPHARMACY 

Wide range of health advice provided 

including private consultation area 

1a LONGFIELD ROAD, TWYFORD RG10 9AN 

Telephone: 0118 934 1222 

Fax: 0118 932 0372 

Email: fields.pharmacy@gmail.com 

CHRIS the plumber 

I offer the same friendly, reliable service as 

always but in addition to general plumbing 

I now offer domestic and commercial gas 

work — boiler repairs, installations, fault 

finding, power flush. 

Repairs not covered by Homeserve? 

Speak to a tradesman, not a salesman! 

Emergency call out available 

Ask Chris Duvall for a FREE quote 

christheplumber75@gmail.com 

0785 095 6354 

3584769 

Golf & Social Membership Available 

April 12th - Club Terrace Opens 

May 17th - Restaurant & Clubhouse Opens 

secretary@sonning-golf-club.co.uk

HOME & GARDEN 

Recipe of the month 

Cheesy spinach bake 

From BBC Good Food Guide 

Ingredients* 

— 200g pack feta cheese 

— 2 x 250g tubs ricotta 

— 50g parmesan , grated 

— 1 egg 

— good grating nutmeg 

— 100g breadcrumbs 

— 2 tbsp olive oil 

— 6 sheets filo pastry 

— 3 x 100g bags baby spinach, chopped 

— 1 bunch spring onions, finely sliced 

*For an option add some ham. 

Bible garden topiary 

Like many people, gardeners or not, I have looked in 

awe of some amazing topiary over the years and always 

thought that I would like to try it. Topiary is an art form 

that is believed to have started in ancient Rome. The name 

‘topiary’ derives from a Latin word for an ornamental 

landscape gardener, ‘topiaries’, someone who creates topia 

or places. 

The first written evidence of topiary is said to be from 

44BC. It was through the Roman empire that the art form 

spread around the world and became established in the UK, 

especially in grand stately gardens. 

It seems unlikely that topiary existed in Israel during 

Biblical times, although it certainly can be found there now. 

However, one of the best plants for topiary is the Box which 

is mentioned in Isaiah 41:19, although any evergreen shrub 

or tree can be used. 

IMAGINATION 

On this weak connection, I ambitiously decided to include 

some topiary in my Bible garden by cultivating some existing 

evergreen plants. I have also planted some small box plants 

which are slowly becoming established. 

By chance, and with a great deal of imagination — and 

much mirth from my family — I decided that one established 

plant would make a great camel, and three of the others 

could become magi. I knew nothing about topiary and 

know little more now! I have discovered that the experts 

The topiary camel and (inset) a box moth hungry caterpillar 


Method 

Heat oven to 180⁰C/160⁰C fan/gas 4. 

Mash feta in a large mixing bowl, add the ricotta and 

mash again to thoroughly mix. Stir in the spinach, spring 

onions, Parmesan, egg, nutmeg and plenty of seasoning 

with half the breadcrumbs. 

Brush a 20 x 30cm tin with a little oil. 

Layer in half the filo sheets, brushing each with oil before 

adding the next. Scatter remaining breadcrumbs evenly 

over the base. Spoon in the ricotta filling and gently 

spread, so as not to dislodge the breadcrumbs. Cover with 

remaining filo, brushing with oil as you go, then score into 

portions. Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden and crisp. 

When cool, freeze in individual squares. 

Defrost overnight in the fridge and eat cold, or warm in a 

microwave. 

Work in progress: three magi are slowly taking shape 

nowadays use computers and special cutting tools to create 

their works of art. I used, and still do, a pair of garden shears, 

a pair of secateurs and a great deal of trial and error. It is 

probably about 7 years since I started this project, and there 

is probably another 7 years to go, but they are now beginning 

to take shape and I can honestly say that every Bible garden 

needs topiary! 

If you try your hand at topiary, give yourself plenty of 

time and keep an eye out for box blight and the box moth 

which can destroy what are normally hardy, strong plants. 

I had been given a tip by a friend that should the box blight 

strike the best treatment is to feed them regularly with 

a strong solution of Miracle Gro. A few weeks later when 

visiting a plant nursery, I saw the devastation box blight 

can cause and so last year when some of my new box plants 

showed signs of it, I got out the Miracle Gro and applied it 

regularly. This spring the plants are looking much healthier. 

While the box moth has not been a problem for me, it is 

in the neighbourhood — it has been causing problems, or 

rather, its caterpillars have, in a neighbour's garden. 

Hopefully the small box plants will survive and one day 

they will be large enough to create a topiary Nativity scene!



Cruz Kitchens 

Bespoke, Made to 

Measure Kitchens 

Designed | Supplied | Installed 

Call 0118 961 1295 

Email: info@cruzkitchens.co.uk 

Visit: www.cruzkitchens.co.uk 

ALL WASTE CLEARANCE 

John and his team can clear all waste and 

rubbish from your office, house, garden or loft. 

He can deal with property clearance for probate 

and the demolition of any outbuildings – 

sheds, greenhouses, garages, conservatories, 

summer houses, etc 

LICENSED WASTE CARRIERS - NO JOB TOO SMALL! 

Free phone: 0800 012 6798 

Mobile: 0771 021 2056 

email: j.garmston@ntlworld.com 

DAC Mobility Services 

Keeping you on the move 

Mobility Scooters 

Wheelchairs 

Power Chairs 

Stairlifts 

Contact Your Local Engineer 

07885 750350 

dacmobility@gmail.com 

Sales . Servicing . Repairs . Callouts 

We also have a selection of 

refurbished mobility scooters. 

We come to you! 

www.dacmobilityservices.co.uk 

Respite and relaxation 

with 20% off 

Asking for help isn’t easy. But it’s important to take a break. 

The past few months have been challenging for everyone - 

especially those caring for an elderly loved one. 

At Sunrise, we’ve developed new ways to protect our residents 

physically, mentally and socially, allowing us to welcome new 

residents safely. And now we’re offering 20% off respite care * . 

We’re working hard so that, for a short time, you don’t have to. 

Call 0118 338 2986 or visit 

SunriseSonning.co.uk for more details. 

Sunrise of Sonning 

Old Bath Road, Sonning, Berkshire RG4 6TQ 

Residential, nursing and dementia care home 

9 June 2018 

*Terms and conditions apply. Please visit 

www.sunrise-care.co.uk/care-services/terms-and-conditions for more information

THE ARTS — 1 

From the sun to the Son 

By Rev Michael Burgess 

From time immemorial people have placed the sun at the 

centre of life and worship. As Christianity spread, it took 

over ceremonies and practices associated with that belief, 

but moved the focus from the sun to the Son, Jesus. 

In May we celebrate the goodness and fruitfulness of nature 

brought by the sun with maypole dancing, the crowning of 

the May Queen, and games and sports, just as the Romans 

went dancing in the fields, rejoicing in the gifts of Flora, the 

goddess of nature, and druids greet the sun on a high place. 

That custom persisted for several centuries, particularly at 

Magdalen College in Oxford. In 1840 Dr John Bloxam revived 

it. Holman Hunt*, one of the group of artists known as the 

Pre-Raphaelites, visited Oxford in 1851 and so enjoyed the 

Christmas festivities that he decided to honour the college 

life in one of his paintings. It took many years to reach the 

canvas: his painting of May Morning on Magdalen Tower 

(above) is one of his last complete works in 1890. 

We can identify the choristers gathered to greet the 

rising sun in music and song. Amid the clouds and blue sky, 

the birds are flying and the floor where the choir stand is 

bedecked with flowers. It is a glorious celebration of the 

fruitfulness of May and summer: God’s creation bringing so 

many gifts. The college president is the man with the dark 

beard at the right, and Dr Bloxam is beside him. 

WELCOMED TO SHARE 

commons.wikimedia.org 

But there is an unusual character there — a Parsee, 

an ancient worshipper of the sun from Persia, perhaps 

representing not only those who look to the light of the 

sun, but are also searching for the light of truth. The young 

chorister in the middle looking out at us holds a lily, the 

symbol of Mary, the mother of God’s Son. 

All creation is gathered to greet the dawn and the rising 

sun of May with the birds above and people below, young and 

old, Christian and non-Christian — all united to proclaim 

the goodness and renewal promised by the sun. 

Holman Hunt said that he wanted to represent ‘the spirit 

of a beautiful, primitive and in a large sense eternal service.’ 

Here is a vivid reminder the faith we profess opens our eyes 

to God’s goodness and glory symbolised in the rising sun, and 

that he welcomes everyone to share in those gifts. 

*William Holman Hunt (1827-1910), lived in Thames Street, Sonning, 

during the last part of his life. His ashes are interred in St Paul's Cathedral. 


From the organ 

bench 

As a further tribute to David 

Duvall — see pages 10-11 — 

we republish his contribution 

to our October 1992 issue . . . 

Fashionable music? 

Like many other things, poetry and music for the most 

part come in and out of fashion. Some blessed souls 

achieve permanent favour, such as Shakespeare and 

Mozart: others appear briefly and are then forgotten. 

Who remembers Alfred Austin and Zdenek Fibich? The 

former succeeded Tennyson as Poet Laureate, the latter 

was a Bohemian composer, a contemporary of Dvorak 

and Smetana and in his day as famous as both. 

But the popularity of most writers and composers 

depends on what is and isn't in favour. At the recent 

Royal British Legion re-dedication service we sang a 

fine example of a hymn which is unpopular with many 

modern churchmen because of its apparent unthinking 

patriotism: I vow to thee, my country. 

THE WISDOM OF GOD 

Sir Cecil Spring-Rice wrote these words in 1918 when 

he was the British Ambassador to the USA. 

They were a recasting of an earlier poem which 

reflected on how we are citizens of two countries, our own 

and the kingdom of heaven. In the earlier version he had 

apparently glorified war, but in the final version Spring- 

Rice makes his last line a quotation — actually with a 

word altered — from the glorious passage from Proverbs 3, 

about the wisdom of God: 

'And her ways are ways of pleasantness 

and all her paths are peace' 

The third line of the poem, The love that asks no question, 

is the one that many people object to, on the reasonable 

grounds that love shouldn't be uncritical. It should be 

especially if it is the love of one's country. To say that a 

country, or government, is always right is jingoism. 

But Spring-Rice meant that we should love our country 

enough, whatever a government might or might not do, 

to make a sacrifice for it — because this is what Christ did 

for us. He said in a speech soon after finishing the poem: 

The Cross is a sign of patience under suffering, 

but not patience under wrong. 

The Cross is the banner under which we fight... 

different in form, in colour, in history, 

but the same spirit, the spirit of sacrifice. 

Unlike some composers whose music is used for hymns 

without their knowledge, Gustav Holst was proud to set 

the main theme from Jupiter, part of his planets suite, 

to these words, and he called the tune Thaxted after the 

village in Essex where he lived. 

I vow to thee, my country is one of the finest matchings 

of words and music that one could find, and is a favourite 

hymn of a great many people, not least the Princess of 

Wales who chose it for her wedding.



Simply 

stunning 

interiors 

Your local 

interior 

designers, 

internationally 

recognised. 

SONNING-ON-THAMES 

Interior Architecture and interior design from concept to completion. 

We create beautiful homes for our clients, listening to your hopes and 

aspirations, with second to none service including a full 3D experience. 

Our extensive range of fabrics, paint, wall papers, soft furnishings and lighting 

will help you achieve the home you desire. 

Call us for an informal chat or visit The Studio (by appointment only) 

www.sabellainteriors.com | 01189449629 | enquiries@sabellainteriors.com

the ARTS — 2 

Poetry corner 

Having read Rev Michael 

Burgess' article about the 

'Ecce Ancilla Domini' painting 

(right) in our March 2021 

issue — and the editor's 

request for contributions — 

Steven Rollings of Woodley 

offered this poem/hymn that 

he has written to the tune of 

Woodlands (‘Tell out my soul’) 

and is based Luke 1:26-38. 

‘Ecce Ancilla Domini’, it be 

‘Behold the handmaid of the Lord I be’ 

Said Mary, when the angel Gabriel 

Came to her, and the announcement did tell 

Would tell that she not fear, but has favour 

With God, and would bear for us our Saviour 

His name would be JESUS, He shall be great 

Son of the Highest, of royal estate 

The Lord God shall give unto Him the throne 

Of His earthly ancestor, David, known 

And He shall reign for ever and ever 

His kingdom endless and ceases never 

And here displayed in purity of white 

Mary, a virgin, trembles at the sight 

A small dove seen, the Holy Spirit, He 

By His power the child’s Father would be 

Here feet of flames of angel painted, see 

And white flower offered to Mary be 

A tapestry in foreground, Rossetti 

A scene revealed, contemplativity 


Local artists 

say farewell 

to president 

George 

Sonning Art Group 

are sad to record the 

the death of their long 

serving president and 

founder, George Webster 

(pictured left). 

A difference of opinion among a group of local artists in 

the early part of this Millennium led to the Sonning Art 

Group being formed as a separate body from the Sonning 

Art Club, both of which met in The Pearson Hall. George, 

a founder member of the Sonning Art Group, became 

chairman and successfully guided them for the next 10 

years with 'charm, humour and enthusiasm', said Magee 

Hollidge. 

'Everyone,' continued Magee, 'was assured of a warm 

welcome and was valued and encouraged, no matter 

how great or small their experience and talent. He 

got the whole group involved in his many ideas and 

projects which included painting murals for a care home, 

supporting the Sonning Show and the Scarecrow Trail' 

In 2010, when George was 80 years old, Sue Bell, 

became chair and George was elected president. He 

continued to paint until recently. 

Throughout his life, George was often among 

the winners of local art competitions and he will be 

remembered by many for his unique and colourful works 

of art, such as the example below which was part of a 

larger project for a care home. 

So her response, behold, I the handmaid 

Of the Lord, let the angel’s words be made 

Steadfast, and so be it e’en as you say 

I Him shall humbly trust, serve, and obey 

SPREAD 

YOUR 

WORD! 

With lockdown hopefully coming to an end and you or your 

club, organisation or charity wants to tell every household in 

Charvil, Sonning and Sonning Eye about your achievements 

or plans for the future tell us and we will spread the word! 

The deadline for your news and stories is always 12 noon on 

the sixth day of the month before the publication date. For 

example, the June issue deadline will be 12 noon on 6 May. 

Send your stories and pictures to: 


With the easing of lockdown restrictions and many 

of the group now receiving their second vaccine, Sonning 

Art Group is hoping to start meeting in Pearson Hall 

again early in July. In the meantime, like most clubs and 

associations throughout the parish and the country, they 

continue to meet online to discuss and share their works 

of art.


PUZZLE PAGE ANSWERS IN THE NEXT ISSUE 

CROSSWORD 

Across 

1 Chance concurrence of 

events (11) 

9 Swift (5) 

10 Epoch (3) 

11 Short choral composition (5) 

12 Music with a recurrent 

theme (5) 

13 Device for spraying paint (8) 

16 Morally compel (8) 

18 Manner of writing (5) 

21 Looked at open-mouthed (5) 

22 Sort; kind (3) 

23 Sculptured symbol (5) 

24 Stargazers (11) 

Down 

2 Public speakers (7) 

3 Bring up (7) 

4 Urges to act (6) 

5 Senior figure in a tribe (5) 

6 Sequence (5) 

7 Camaraderie (11) 

8 Endorsed (11) 

14 Cotton fabric (7) 

15 More cheerful (7) 

17 Subatomic particle such as 

a nucleon (6) 

19 Bonds of union (5) 

20 Keen (5) 

CODEWORD 

1 2 3 4 5 6 

7 8 

11 

13 

18 19 20 

22 23 

24 

Across 

1 - Chance concurrence of events (11) 

9 - Swift (5) 

10 - Epoch (3) 

11 - Short choral composition (5) 

12 - Music with a recurrent theme (5) 

13 - Device for spraying paint (8) 

16 - Morally compel (8) 

18 - Manner of writing (5) 

21 - Looked at open-mouthed (5) 

22 - Sort; kind (3) 

23 - Sculptured symbol (5) 

24 - Stargazers (11) 

9 10 

16 17 

14 10 20 3 22 22 3 17 26 10 6 6 

10 10 19 10 10 25 

2 10 19 17 20 22 15 16 14 

2 10 19 19 10 26 3 13 18 3 

22 10 22 22 9 16 14 11 1 

13 1 6 15 17 3 26 6 10 26 

3 15 6 22 12 3 

13 6 10 20 3 24 23 3 13 18 

10 19 3 5 6 1 24 13 22 

26 16 20 1 14 3 13 10 10 17 

21 22 3 26 6 14 8 18 5 

3 19 10 10 22 4 

7 13 3 15 15 10 20 20 10 17 11 23 

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 

SOLUTIONS FOR THE APRIL PUZZLES 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 

X 

12 

14 15 

21 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

Down 

2 - Public speakers (7) 

3 - Bring up (7) 

5 - Senior figure in a tribe (5) 

17 - Subatomic particle such as a nucleon (6) 

19 - Bonds of union (5) 

X 

SUDOKU 

Each of the nine blocks has to contain all the 

numbers 1-9 within its squares. Each number can 

only appear once in a row, column or box. 

WORDSEARCH FOR ROGATION SUNDAY 

HISTORY QUIZ 

CROSSWORD CODEWORD SUDOKU WORDSEARCH 

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 

F I F E N O T I C I N G E N M I T Y T W E L V E 

1 Battle Tof Hastings 

F 

R O C R N T A N A I S E A L 

2 King William II 

3 King Richard I 

4 Signing of the Magna Carta 

5 King Edward II 

6 The Black Death plague 

7 William Caxton introduced 

printing into England 

8 King Henry VIII 

IN THIS ISSUE QUIZ? 

1. When did the Queen open the Hexagon? 4 - Urges to act (6) 

2. Where would you find the Holy Kaaba? 

6 - Sequence (5) 

3. When is the virtual Pentecost prayer meeting? 

7 - Camaraderie (11) 

4. What does a Parsee worship? 8 - Endorsed (11) 

14 - Cotton fabric (7) 

5. About how many Psalms are about grief? 

15 - More cheerful (7) 

6. Who was Haman? 

7. What cat needed sleeping pills? 

8. When is Missing Children's Day ? 20 - Keen (5) 

U N I C O R N S E E D S 

C S L A T R H 

T O T A L I T A R I A N 

O A E U T B 

S T R O B E S C H E M A 

E E O T T S 

O V E R E S T I M A T E 

O E A E O W L 

S P R A T T O N N A G E 

L T O S S K S 

O B S E R V E D L E N S 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 

26 

T 

F 

A 

B 

C 

D 

E 

F 

G 

H 

I 

J 

K 

L 

M 

N 

O 

P 

Q 

R 

S 

T 

U 

V 

W 

X 

Y 

Z 

J U J I T S U A I I 

O E L P A R A D O X 

I S S U E E I I 

N T R N A D I R 

I U S I N G O 

B U C K S M M O 

A H P G R I E F 

T O R P E D O A N F 

E A R S Q U E A L S 

A F E E Z N E 

U N T I D Y S E P T E T 

Find 20 words from the text below 

The first Sunday in May is Rogation Sunday. This is when 

many parishes still ‘beat the bounds’. Rogation means 

an asking of God for blessing on the seed and land. 

The practice began with the Romans, who processed 

around the cornfields each Spring, singing and dancing, 

sacrificing animals, in order to get rid of evil. About 465AD 

the Western world was suffering from earthquake and 

storm. Mamertius, Bishop of Vienne, aware of the pagan 

custom, ordered that prayers should be said in the ruined 

or neglected fields. Thus ‘beating the bounds’ became 

a Christian ceremonial. It arrived in England early in the 

eighth century. Each Spring, led by the priest, a little party 

from the parish would set out with a Cross to trace the 

boundaries of the parish. They’d implore God to keep 

their corn and roots and boughs in good health, and bring 

them to harvest. In the days when maps were scarce, 

‘beating the bounds’ helped remind everyone just where 

the boundaries were. Do you know yours today?


BIBLE BASED CROSSWORD 

Across 

1 Sense of right and wrong (1 Cor 8:7) (10) 

7 Coming (John 11:17) (7) 

8 All I have is — , (John 17:10) (5) 

10 Smarten (Acts 9:34) (4) 

11 Hold back (Job 9:13) (8) 

13 Member of the Society of Friends (6) 

15 At ague (anag) (6) 

17 Citizen of the Greek capital (8) 

18 So be it (Galatians 6:18) (4) 

21 20th Century poet T S — (5) 

22 Empowers (Philippians 3:21) (7) 

23 Imposing (1 Samuel 9:2) (10) 

Down 

1 Healed (Luke 7:21) (5) 

2 Central space in a church (4) 

3 Co-founder of Spring Harvest, 

Clive — (6) 

4 Moses killed one when he saw 

him beating a Hebrew labourer 

(Exodus 2:12) (8) 

5 Bravery (Acts 4:13) (7) 

6 It interrupted Paul and Silas 

singing in jail (Acts 16:26) (10) 

9 Transgression (Psalm 36:1) (10) 

12 Dublin is in this Irish province (8) 

14 Same hit (anag) (7) 

16 The Spirit of God was hovering 

over the — (Genesis 1:2) (6) 

19 Author of the immortal stories 

of Winnie the Pooh, A A — (5) 

20 Cab (4) 

THE BIBLE ACCORDING TO DIKKO 

FREE BINDER OFFER! 

Would you like to keep your 

favourite copies of The Parish 

Magazine in a binder that 

holds 12 copies. We have a 

small number available free 

of charge on a strictly first 

come, first served basis. To 

request a binder, email your 

name and address to: 


Planning Your 

Traditional Wedding? 

Then you might like to 

discuss the possibility of 

marriage in our ancient and 

beautiful parish church. 

If so, call the vicar, Jamie 

0118 969 3298 

He will be pleased to help! 

EASTER ANAGRAMS 

1. Good Friday 

2. Easter Eggs 

3. Palm Sunday 

4. Crucifixion 

5. Hot Cross Buns 

6. Last Supper 

7. Judas Iscariot 

8. Crown of Thorns 

9. He is Risen! 

BIBLE CROSSWORD 

In addition to the stunning and historic location in Sonning, 

we will work hard to provide you with a memorable and 

moving occasion. We can provide a choir, organ, peal of 

eight bells, beautiful flowers, over 100 lit candles set in 

ornate Victorian chandeliers and the use of our beautiful 

churchyard as a backdrop for your photographs. 

the church of st andrew SERVING CHARVIL, 

SONNING & sonning eye since the 7 th century 


Serving Sonning, Charvil & Sonning Eye


Local Trades and Services 

ACG SERVICES - LOCKSMITH 

Locks changed, fitted, repaired and opened 

Door and window locks fitted, UPVC door lock expert 

Checkatrade member - Which Trusted Trader 

Call Richard Homden: 0149 168 2050 / 0771 040 9216 


CHIROPODY AND PODIATRY 

Linda Frewin MInstChp, HCPC member 

General foot care and treatments 

25 Ashtrees Road, Woodley RG5 4LP 

0118 969 6978 - 0790 022 4999 

CLARK BICKNELL LTD - PLUMBING & HEATING 

Qualified Plumbing and Heating Engineers Gas Safe 

25 years experience - local family run company 

Office: 0118 961 8784 - Paul: 0776 887 4440 

paul@clarkbicknell.co.uk 

COMPUTER FRUSTRATIONS? 

For jargon free help with your computer problems 

PC & laptop repairs, upgrades, installations, virus removal 

Free advice, reasonable rates 

0798 012 9364 help@computerfrustrations.co.uk 

INTERSMART LIMITED 

Electrical Installation and Smart Home Automation 

intersmartuk@gmail.com 

Elliott — 0777 186 6696 

Nick — 0758 429 4986 

HANDYMAN & DECORATING SERVICES 

Reliable and affordable 

Small jobs a speciality! 

Call Andy on 0795 810 0128 

http://www.handyman-reading.co.uk 

JAMES AUTOS 

Car Servicing, Repairs and MOT 

Mole Road, Sindlesham, RG41 5DJ 

0118 977 0831 

james_autos@hotmail.co.uk 

ALL AERIALS 

A local business based in Sonning. TV - FM - DAB aerials etc. 

Sky dishes. Communal premises IRS systems, TV points. 

Free estimates - All work guaranteed 

0118 944 0000 

MC CLEANING 

We are a family business with excellent references 

and we are fully insured 

All cleaning materials provided 

For free quote call: Maria 0779 902 7901 

THAMES CHIMNEY SWEEPS 

0779 926 8123 0162 882 8130 

enquiries@thameschimneysweeps.co.uk 

http://www.thameschimneysweeps.co.uk 

Member of the Guild of Master Sweeps 

PROFESSIONAL HOME VISIT WILL SERVICE 

Thames Valley Will Service 

Also Lasting Powers of Attorney and Probate Service 

We are still working during the pandemic period 

0134 464 1885 tvwills@yahoo.co.uk 

AJH ROOFING Co (READING) Ltd 

Tiling, Slating and Flat Roofing specialists 

36 Chatteris Way, Lower Earley, RG6 4 JA 

0118 986 6035 0794 447 4070 

ajhroofingco.co.uk info@ajhroofingco.co.uk 

WANT HELP WITH AN ‘ODD JOB’? 

For local odd jobs please call Phil on 

0118 944 0000 

0797 950 3908 

Thames Street, Sonning 

BIG HEART TREE CARE 

Reliable and friendly service for all tree care 

NPTC qualified — Public Liability of £10million 

0118 937 1929 0786 172 4071 

bighearttreecare.co.uk info@bighearttreecare.co.uk 

SMALLWOOD 

Landscaping, garden construction, 

patios, lawns, fencing, decking etc 

0118 969 8989 

info@smallwoodcc.co.uk http://www.smallwoodcc.com 

BEECHWOOD CARPENTRY & CONSTRUCTION SERVICES LTD 

All types of Carpentry, Kitchens, Renovations 

Built-in Cupboards & Wardrobes, Flooring & Doors 

78 Crockhamwell Road, Woodley 0776 276 6110 

http://www.beechwood-carpentry-construction.co.uk 

CARER — COMPANION 

Experienced lady carer who is local to this area 

offers live-in support at competitive rates 

Excellent references provided — Contact Louise 

0784 226 2583 lasheppard61@gmail.com 

PAINTER and DECORATOR 

Roger McGrath has 25 years experience 

Restoration painting work of any size undertaken 

For a free quotation call 

Roger 0742 332 1179

CHILDREN'S PAGE 

The Parish Magazine - May 2021 41

42 The Parish Magazine - May 2021 Please mention The Parish Magazine when replying to advertisements 

information — 2 

Parish contacts 

Ministry Team 

— The Vicar: Revd Jamie Taylor* 

The Parish Office, Thames Street, Sonning, RG4 6UR 

vicar@sonningparish.org.uk / 0118 969 3298 

*Day off Friday 

— Associate Vicar: Revd Kate Wakeman-Toogood 

revkate@sonningparish.org.uk / 0746 380 6735 

On duty Tuesday, Friday and Sunday 

— Youth Minister: Chris West (Westy) 

youthminister@sonningparish.org.uk / 0794 622 4106 

— Licensed Lay Minister: Bob Peters 

bob@sonningparish.org.uk / 0118 377 5887 

Children's Ministry 

— Alison Smyly office@sonningparish.org.uk / 0118 969 3298 

Churchwardens 

— Perry Mills perry@oaktreeoffice.com / 0786 035 5457 

— Stuart Bowman sdbowman73@aol.com / 0118 978 8414 

Deputy Churchwardens 

— Liz Nelson liz.nelson1@ntlworld.com / 0118 934 4837 

— Simon Darvall sdarvall@businessmoves.com 0793 928 2535 

— Sue Peters mail@susanjpeters.com / 0118 377 5887 

— Molly Woodley (deputy churchwarden emeritus) 

mollywoodley@live.co.uk / 0118 946 3667 

Parish Administrator 

— Hilary Rennie 

office@sonningparish.org.uk / 0118 969 3298 

Parochial Church Council 

— Secretary: Hilary Rennie 0118 969 3298 

— Treasurer: Richard Moore 0118 969 2588 

Director of Music, organist and choirmaster 

— Chris Goodwin MA (Cantab), ARCO (CHM), ARCM, LRAM 

music@sonningparish.org.uk 

Sacristan 

— Helen Goodwin 0134 462 7697 

Parish Website: http://www.sonningparish.org.uk 

The Parish Magazine: http://www.theparishmagazine.co.uk 

— Editor: Bob Peters 

editor@theparishmagazine.co.uk / 0118 377 5887 

— Advertising and Distribution: Gordon Nutbrown 

advertising@theparishmagazine.co.uk / 0118 969 3282 

— Treasurer: Pat Livesey 

pat.livesey@yahoo.co.uk / 0118 961 8017 

— The Parish Magazine is produced by St Andrew’s PCC and delivered 

free of charge to every home in Charvil, Sonning and Sonning Eye. 

— The Parish Magazine is printed in the United Kingdom by The Print 

Factory at Sarum Graphics Ltd, Old Sarum, Salisbury SP4 6QX 

— The Parish Magazine is distributed by Abracadabra Leaflet 

Distribution Ltd, Reading RG7 1AW 

— The Parish Magazine template was designed in 2012 by Roger 

Swindale rogerswindale@hotmail.co.uk and David Woodward 

david@designforprint.org 

Advertisers index 

ABD Construction 24 

ACG Services Locksmith 40 

ADD Plumbing 12 

AJH Roofing 40 

All Aerials Sonning 40 

All Waste Clearance 34 

Barn Store Henley 16 

Beechwood Carpentry and Construction 40 

Big Heart Tree Care 40 

Blandy & Blandy Solicitors 14 

Blinds Direct 26 

Blue Moose 8 

Bridge House 43 

Bridges Home Care 14 

Bright and Fresh Cleaning 26 

Bull Inn 8 

Carer Companion 40 

Chimney Sweep, Thames 40 

Chiropody, Linda Frewin 40 

Chris the Plumber 32 

Clark Bicknell 40 

Complete Pest Solutions 16 

Computer Frustrations 40 

Cruz Kitchens 34 

DAC Mobility Services 34 

David Shailes Plumbing & Decorating 26 

Design for Print 28 

Freebody Boatbuilders 6 

Fields Pharmacy 32 

French Horn 44 

Gardiners Nursing 8 

Graham Blake Soft Furnishing 6 

Great House Sonning 26 

Handyman, Decorating 40 

Haslams Estate Agents 2 

Hicks Group 16 

Intersmart Electrical Installations 40 

James Autos 40 

Jones & Sheppard Stone Masons 16 

Just Brickwork 20 

Kingfisher Bathrooms 18 

MC Cleaning 40 

Mill at Sonning 4 

M & L Healthcare Solutions 12 

Mortgage Required 18 

Muck & Mulch 28 

Newgate Car Finance 20 

Odd Jobs 40 

Painter and Decorator 40 

Pearson Hall Sonning 30 

Pennymatters Finance Advice 24 

Q1 Care 30 

Reading Blue Coat School 18 

Richfield Flooring 14 

Sabella Interiors 36 

Shiplake College 20 

Signature Cliveden Manor Care Home 28 

Sonning Golf Club 32 

Sonning Scouts Marquees 32 

Smallwood Garden Services 40 

Style by Julie 24 

Sunrise of Sonning Senior Living 34 

Thames Valley Water Softeners 24 

Thames Valley Wills Service 40 

Tomalin Funerals 30 

Velvaere Studio 6 

Village Hamper 20 

Walker Funerals 12 

Water Softener Salt 28 

Window Cleaner 30

Please mention The Parish Magazine when responding this advertisement 


BRIDGE HOUSE 

of TWYFORD 

Because you deserve 

the very best 

Welcome to Bridge House Nursing Home 

Established for 35 years, the elegant Georgian Grade II listed Bridge House has extended its facilities to 

include a beautiful, light-filled and airy purpose built nursing home. 

Our philosophy is built upon helping residents maintain their independence and dignity, whilst ensuring 

their needs and expectations are fully met. We believe that being independent means having the freedom 

of choice and flexibility over how the day is spent. Working closely with families and professionals 

is fundamental in delivering and maintaining the required level of health and wellbeing. 

At Bridge House, our comprehensive facilities and care provision is designed to deliver skilled, 

professional and individually planned care in an unobtrusive manner. 

Call 0800 230 0206 

Visit www.bridgehouseoftwyford.co.uk 

INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING • NURSING HOME 

190821 - Bridge House Ad Parish Mag v01.indd 1 21/08/2019 18:06

44 The Parish Magazine - May Please 2021 mention The Parish Magazine when responding this advertisement 

The French Horn, 

Sonning. Quality. 

A continuing commitment to 

wonderful food and wine. 

0118 969 2204 

www.thefrenchhorn.co.uk

The Parish Magazine May 2021

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?