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3 Watching on our screens as many countries round the world burned, figuratively and literally, under the impact of the twin heatwaves, Cerberus and Charon, some of us in the UK were thanking our lucky stars we had not booked our foreign holidays in July this year. Others felt that they were missing out on the chance to enjoy some serious sunshine, as they dodged unseasonal downpours at home and anxiously consulted the forecast for the Within the Walls concert weekend. Despite the evidence of this year, July is statistically the warmest month in the UK. However August is the most popular month for holidays, realistically the only option for families with schoolage children. It is also the month we celebrate the feast day of our patron saint (10 August) so in this issue we learn more about St Laurence (p39) as well as considering the holiday season as an opportunity for pilgrimage (pp5 & 13) and learn why Uncle Eustace does not indulge in the traditional holiday pastime of reading a good book (p41). Lesley Harling (Editor) 01584 318309 This month’s cover: Photograph: Lesley Harling Pink roses Graphic design: Nicky Luck [email protected] Printing: Signworx Hereford Moreton-on-Lugg, Herefordshire CONTENTS Opinions expressed in contributed articles in this magazine are those of the contributor and do not necessarily represent the position or opinions of the PCC or Editorial Committee. Our annual pilgrimage 5 Now is the time - always! 7 Introducing … Hilary Walters 9 Twentieth century art in St Laurence’s 11 Pilgrimages for everyone 13 Freely you have received 15 International Bat Night 15 Ludlow Food Bank 17 From the registers 17 News from the PCC 19 When is enough enough? 19 Sunday services in Ludlow 20 Ludlow local listing - small ads 21 What’s on in August 25 Arts@stlaurence in August 26 Reflections on the Church in England 27 Double trouble - drought and flood 29 Not having to say sorry 31 Grave matters -The Reverend Algernon Edward Barker 33 An autumn church amble 35 Perfect partners in cream 37 A verray, parfit, gentil knight 37 The Bible in 50 words 38 Tales from the barbecue 39 Children’s page 40 On why it is so hard to read 41 Parish directory & copy deadline 42
4 Proud to be the architect for the Stephen Treasure Memorial Project Creating a mission space for St Laurence’s
5 our annUAL PILGRIMAGE Well, it’s the time of year for the Davies clan makes its annual pilgrimage to somewhere in Wales. No, this isn’t a religious pilgrimage to an abbey, church or monastery, but a week’s holiday. Though for myself this is an annual pilgrimage. Let me explain. As a family before we go to the beach, I don my wetsuit. Hopefully that doesn’t fill you with too many mental images (prayer can be offered). With family in tow and off we go. As I walk down to the beach my heart begins a preparation, and I begin to reflect on the year. I reflect on the highs, the lows (well, those things that didn’t quite go as planned) and everything in between. Once on the beach, the setting up begins, whilst my children encourage me to work at great speed so we can get into the sea. We then run down to the shore where my children proceed to keep running, diving in under the water as my brain tells me to put the brakes on. When I tentatively put my foot in the water surprise, surprise it’s freezing. After the initial shock and feeling that my ankles have been hit with a sledge hammer, the call comes from my children to man up. So, in I go (perhaps a dry suit will help next time). I stand there, just looking out at the vast horizon, the endless sea and sky. Then the shrinking feeling comes. Psalm 8 says: When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? Neil Armstrong said, “I remember on the way home on Apollo 11 it suddenly struck me - that tiny pea, pretty and blue was the earth. I put my thumb up and shut one eye and my thumb blotted out planet Earth. But I didn’t feel like a giant. I felt very, very small.” As I stand in the sea, I shout out to God that I give up. I give up all my plans, wants, desires, dreams, and surrender wholly and fully to God. The holiday week for me is a time of surrender. It resets my heart, gives me time to just be and fires me up for my return to Ludlow. It’s a time to break the normal cycles and be. So, to wrap this up, The Message translation says this in Psalm 8: I look at my micro-self and wonder, why do you bother with us? Why take a second look our way? It’s a reminder of what I have been charged with, what I’m very, very thankful for. A reminder of the bigness of God and his overwhelming love not only for me but for all of us. Wayne Davies
6 We specialise in all aspects of building, from new construction to work on scheduled monuments to the restoration of Georgian and half-timbered houses. The company employs 40 time-served craftsmen and has worked recently at: Warwick Castle, Kenilworth Castle, St Mary’s Church, Shrewsbury and many private houses in the West Midlands and border areas. The company is delighted to be working with Ludlow St Laurence and the family and friends of Stephen Treasure on the Stephen House Project transforming 2 College Street into a mission space to support those in need or distress in the community he loved.
7 In last month’s Tower Wayne Davies told us about his experience of ‘Kirchentag’, the biennial Christian get-together organised by the German Lutheran church. We just have nothing like this in the UK. Imagine five days of worship (often in gloriously sunny city squares), fun and sports, music in the streets, exhibition halls full of Christian communities from all over the world and many environmental organisations reminding people of faith of their responsibilities to the future of God’s earth. Oh, and Olaf Scholz, head of the German government, dropped in too. As this Kirchentag was happening in Nuremberg (Hereford’s partner diocese) and the 2023 motto, translated, was “Now Is the Time” (St Mark’s Gospel chapter 1, verse 15), we decided we should indeed seize the moment and go. Altogether, some 20 people from the diocese travelled to Germany, mostly by less exciting means than motorbike, the clerical choice! In Ludlow we have our own parish link with Paul-Gerhardt-Church in Langwasser (a Nuremberg suburb) and its minister (‘Pfarrer’) Jörg Gunsenheimer. The church was packed for a special Kirchentag Eucharist on the Saturday evening. The Bishop of Huntingdon, Dr Dagmar Winter (now elected as Vice-President of the European Council of Churches) preached in English on the European vision and the place of Christian civilisation within it. And we in the UK are one with our Christian sisters and brothers on the European mainland, whatever our passports now say. Jörg is retiring in October. Kelvin and Colin and Andrea Weston, are planning to be in Paul-Gerhardt-Church on the occasion of his final service there. We will be representing Ludlow St Laurence’s and St John’s and marking our continuing commitment to being ‘fellow workers’ with Langwasser. That is the message of the identical banners hanging in St Laurence’s and in PaulGerhardt. It’s ‘a special relationship’ that is truly worthy of the name! Andrea Weston NOW IS THE TIME – ALWAYS! Kirchentag scarf – ‘Now is the Time’ Saturday evening service in Langwasser
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9 INTRODUCING ... Please tell us a bit about yourself. My name is Hilary Walters. I was born and raised near Preston and went to university in St Andrews to study physics but ended up doing psychology. In my third year I married Ben, whose first job as a dentist was in Dundee. We then spent eight years in Durham where Liz and Toby were born. I worked as a playgroup assistant, then a special support teaching assistant eventually doing a PGCE. Over the years I have taught at every level from pre-school to undergraduate. 2012 brought a big change when Ben was appointed senior dentist on the Falkland Islands. We lived in Stanley and I had my first encounter with the CofE, worshipping in the Cathedral, which had a tiny congregation. I was roped in to help out with just about everything. I also ran a crafting group, mainly for the government contractors and military who make up half the population. Our stay was enjoyable but three years were enough and we came back to Preston. What brought you to Ludlow? After my parents died we wanted to move - to somewhere rural with good transport links and a ‘proper’ market. I have always wanted to be within walking distance of a cinema or a restaurant. And to St Laurence's? It’s important to me to be part of the church in the community where I live. Before Covid we were at Living Waters. Lockdown was difficult – Zoom church was not for me. We knew Kelvin, Wayne and a few people who worship at St Laurence’s. And it was one of the first churches to re-open. Your first impressions of St Laurence's? I wanted to go straight back out. I am a Christian but I’m not ‘religious’ and the building reminded me of the pomp, circumstance and tradition of services I don’t understand. But I love having communion every week. I love the Lord’s Prayer, the preaching and the language of the psalms. And the printed service sheets which explain what’s going on are very reassuring. What is your role at St Laurence's? I’ve just been to my first PCC meeting. How do you spend any spare time? I belong to three knitting groups and two book clubs. I don’t like to just sit. Is there one feature of St Laurence which is special for you? Having spent most of my adult life in worshipping in ‘other’ buildings (schools, an old carpet factory, a gym) I do enjoy being in a beautiful church. Sitting in St John’s chapel I think of all the Christians who have been there before me and feel part of a whole. A memorable holiday experience? Our silver wedding trip round Italy in a Mini, including a week in Amalfi. What might we be surprised to know about you? My earliest memory of Shropshire is falling into the ‘Shroppie’ on a family narrowboat holiday at the age of three and being taken to the nearest town to buy new clothes.
10 R I B A Trevor Hewett A R C H I T E C T ▪ Planning applications ▪ ▪ Listed building consent ▪ ▪ Building regulations ▪ ▪ Alterations and extensions ▪ ▪ Church inspections ▪ ▪ Green building ▪ The Architecture Studio 135 Corve Street Ludlow SY8 2PG Tel: 01584 877992 5 The Angel, Broad Street, Ludlow, Sy8 2PG Skip Hire, Waste Management & Recycling Tenbury Wells, Ludlow, Leominster, Craven Arms and
11 We are fortunate in having in the church a very ancient font. Significantly, the bowl and stand are all made from one large piece of stone. No one knows its age for certain, but it has been pointed out that it has affinities with some of the columns in the large Roman city of Vinconium at Wroxeter, near Shrewsbury. Unfortunately, as a font it has one major disadvantage – the bowl is much too large. To cover the bottom, even to a shallow depth, requires a significant amount of water and, after a baptism, it needs to be emptied by hand as there is no drainage hole. In 1967, to overcome this problem, the church commissioned a distinguished designer to create a raised bowl to sit inside the font. Leonard Evetts was born in Newport, Wales in 1909. He was the son of a painting contractor who taught him signwriting, thereby stimulating a lifelong passion for design. He applied his considerable talents in a broad range of areas, but this bowl was very much a one-off. The letters Ι Χ Θ Υ Σ in the bowl are initial letters of the Greek for "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour". When put together, they spell out the Greek word for "fish" and this is how the fish became an early symbol of Christ. Evetts was an authority on historic calligraphy, having written a seminal book on Roman lettering. He lectured in design at Newcastle for many years, eventually becoming the Head of the School of Design at the university. He was asked to advise on camouflaging during the second world war, but his greatest achievements were in the design of stained glass windows for churches. His work is to be found in many churches, liberally spread across the north of England. Here's an exception, created in 1958 for Orwell church near Cambridge. Hugh Wood Twentieth Century Art in St Laurence’s
12 Alexandra House Diamond Life Healthcare Fully trained carers provide high-quality personalised care We provide Domiciliary Care 24-hour Live-in Care Domestic Care We are always looking for reliable caring staff Please ring and speak to our friendly team 01584 872233 Email - [email protected] Website - www.diamondlifehealthcare.co.uk
13 PILGRIMAGES FOR EVERYONE There’s been a lot of walking around the Diocese recently. Bishop Richard has led walks up high places in each of our deaneries to lead simple services of Holy Communion on the hills, as part of our Year of Prayer. The Golden Valley Pilgrim Way, beginning and ending at our Cathedral, has seen more and more pilgrims walking along its route. Some do the full 59 miles, sometimes sleeping overnight by prior arrangement in one of the churches along the way; some do the shorter Pilgrim Trail over two or three days, still beginning and ending in our Cathedral. The prayers they offer are an integral part of their pilgrimage. My husband and I will soon be off to Northumberland a place where we have had many happy holidays over the years. Tides permitting, we’ll make the pilgrimage to Holy Island again, walking barefoot across the sandy Pilgrim’s Way linking Holy Island with the mainland. Pilgrimage has a long and honoured tradition among Christians. It used to be known as peregrination or leaving home and wandering for the love of God. Away from the distractions and comforts of home, in creation, it’s often easier to tune into the presence of God. Praying while walking becomes a conversation, as we notice things about our surroundings, ourselves, and God which the Holy Spirit brings to our attention. We are embodied creatures. Being on the move can release emotions and thoughts that can get ‘stuck’ in our more sedentary day-to-day existence. All of them can be offered to God in prayer. Not all of us are physically capable of making a pilgrimage. That need not stop us from entering into the experience either by following a pilgrim trail on YouTube or by taking an ‘internal pilgrimage’. I came across this idea in a newsletter sent by someone who runs a retreat centre in Cyprus: Where have you been in your life? What have you done? What has happened? Whom have you met? Where has life taken you? Draw a meandering road on a large piece of paper. Record on the line significant events/times in your life through words/pictures/colour. Begin with the day you were born. Consider where you sense God was in each of those times - close, absent, in you, in others, etc. Mark this in some way on your path. Consider with God anything that has come to your attention that you feel needs more pondering. If any of it has been difficult, consider discussing it with a Christian friend and praying together. Whether your summer pilgrimage is to a local park, your own garden, or along the Camino de Santiago, may you find blessing and joy in the journey. Archdeacon Fiona Pilgrims from Ludlow set sail for the Holy Land.
14 Coffee morning Thursday 10 August 10 am to 12.30 pm St Laurence’s Church £3.50 Coffee or tea from Icon Coffee Books, cakes, produce. Tickets from John Eadie (Ludlow Methodists) or Claire Wilcox (St Laurence’s) or Pay at the door British International Music Academy Saturday 12 August 1pm Concert Programme to be announced Talented young musicians from the Far East attending renowned pianist Di Xiao’s BIMA summer camp will perform a n exotic and diverse programme, Come and support this vital work
15 Freely you have received … Freely you have received, freely give.’ Matthew 10:8 A member of St John’s congregation, Nick Long, came up with the idea that we should pray for every street in our parish. So often the only contact people have with organisations, including churches, is when they want something, from them usually money or gifts. So we decided to make every parishioner a ‘free offer’ of prayer, for any kind of need. To this end a team has been delivering Prayer Request forms for folk to fill in and we have prayed, by name, in our church services for each of the streets being covered. We want to offer blessing to everyone from the God who we believe answers prayer. We encourage all who have received these forms to fill in prayer requests, indicating whether the request can be mentioned in public worship or whether it is just for private prayers, returning them to the box by the church gate. Richard Hill (Rev) International Bat Night 26-27 aUGUST Did you know that there are 18 species of bat in the UK? And did you know that bats make up almost a quarter of ALL our mammal species? So, our UK bats are well worth celebrating. And International Bat Night brings together bat groups and the Bat Conservation Trust, to provide many opportunities for bat walks and talks at dusk in local neighbourhoods across the UK. As the bat groups explain, ‘We aim to encourage thousands of people across the country to see bats in their natural environment by taking part in a range of events organised by local bat groups, wildlife trusts, countryside rangers and other organisations across the country.’ Find more information at: https:// www.bats.org.uk/support-bats/ international-bat-night
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17 FROM THE REGISTERS BAPTISMS 25 June Imogen Alice Chaplin WEDDING 2 July Emilia Abigail Papp 24 June Matthew Clark & Ulunma Agu 9 July Ottilie Nell Evelyn Cooper 16 July John Andrew St John-Passmore Bowles FUNERALS 19 June Patricia Ann Bradley 13 July John Edward McCourt ludlow Food Bank Ludlow Food Bank’s half-yearly report suggests that the demand for food parcels is slightly down on the same period last year However between January and July 2023 561 individuals received at least one food parcel. Most of these (67%) gave lack of money as the reason for needing help. Other reasons included health and benefits problems, homelessness and domestic violence. Eleven Ukrainian refugee families have received parcels, although not recently as they seem to be settling in and finding work. Donations of pet food, many through special donation boxes in the Blue Cross charity shop, have helped 160 cats and dogs while the fuel poverty fund has assisted 34 households. For the last year the Food Bank has been holding Open Table events on the first Monday of the month from 1.00 to 2.30pm at the Rockspring Community Centre at the Baptist Church in Sandford Road. For £1 those who come along can fill a bag with food from the table, often surplus food from Fare Share, enjoy a cup of hot drink, a piece of cake and a chat, speak to advisors from Citizens Advice, Connexus (Sustain), Early Help and Christians Against Poverty, have a free blood pressure checks or take advantage of a Ludlow schools uniform exchange. If you would like to support the Food Bank you can: Take donations to the Rockspring Centre Monday to Friday 11am -1pm Put donations in a collection box (at Tesco, Aldi, Sainsburys, One Stop (both), Spar, Ludlow library or St Laurence’s Donate money (Ludlow Baptist Church, Sort Code 40-30-30, Account No 41276387, Reference Foodbank)
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19 Meeting - 5 June 2023 10 members of the PCC attended Resolutions: to reconfigure coffee shop area to reduce risk of injury; to require written PCC authorisation for any expenditure on Stephen House refurbishment beyond agreed contract price; to investigate repurposing redundant altar rails to create free-standing handrail to improve access to Lady Chapel Policies: Financial Procedures and PCC Guidance reviewed and adopted Discussions: committee and working group membership Decisions: scrutinised and agreed draft minutes of 2023 APM and APCM; agreed to reinstate presentation of collection during offertory hymn; elected lay ViceChair and Standing Committee Reports: received from Liturgy, Fabric, Pastoral Care, Arts and Outward Concern committees and National Lottery working group Date of next meeting: Monday 11 September 2023 A copy of the latest confirmed PCC minutes is available on the noticeboard above the pigeonholes at the back of the church. All confirmed minutes can be viewed via the parish office. pcc News When is Enough enough? When even Costa cries, ‘Enough is enough!’ and closes, it is a sure sign that extortionate, unsustainable business rates and rents are threatening Ludlow's commercial viability. Independent retailers, pubs and restaurants are fighting for survival. The following previously unpublished Housman poem might be of some interest – surely a call to arms! When last I came to Ludlow In search of retail trade, With James and Ben, the best of men, Both grocers, both self-made. Now James stacks shelves at Tesco. And Ben works not at all, So day by day such slow decay Demands a clarion call! AEH Even More Last Poems 1933
20 Anglican St Laurence, College Street 8.15am Holy Communion (BCP) 10am Parish Eucharist For livestream/recording - link at https://stlaurences.org.uk/live-stream 11.30am Choral Matins 3rd Sunday only (not in August) 3.30pm The Living Room 2nd Sunday only (not in August) 3.30pm Choral Evensong 1st Sunday only 6pm Celtic Prayer - evening liturgy 3rd Sunday only 5th Sun Joint benefice service with St John’s Contact [email protected] 01584 872073 St John, Gravel Hill 10am 1st, 3rd & 5th Sundays Holy Communion 2nd & 4th Sundays Morning Prayer 5th Sun Joint benefice service with St Laurence’s Contact [email protected] 07545 438892 St Giles, Ludford 11.15am 1st Sunday Family Worship 2nd & 4th Sundays CW Holy Communion 3rd Sunday Lay-led Worship Contact [email protected] Ludlow Baptist Church 10.30am Sunday worship Contact [email protected] Ludlow Elim 10.30am Service at Elim 11.30am Online. Contact www.ludlowelim.com 07791 483284 [email protected] Ludlow Methodist Church 10.30am Sunday worship Contact [email protected] Ludlow Quakers 10.30am Meeting for worship Contact Cynthia Prior 01584 831855 St Peter's Roman Catholic Church Mass 11.00am Sunday 9.30pm Monday-Friday 6.00pm Saturday (Sunday Vigil ) Morning prayer 9.15am Monday-Friday 9.45am Saturday Contact [email protected] SUNDAY SERVICES in Ludlow
21 You can advertise in this listing for one year (12 issues) for just £30. With 600 copies circulating in Ludlow every month, free of charge, this is an ideal way of publicising your business, shop or service. We also accept advertising from clubs, societies and social groups - perfect for publicising your group’s activities and attracting new members. All entries must fit the standard 4-line box (approximately 40 words). To discuss details or to place an advertisement please contact the parish office on 01584 872073 or email [email protected]. LUDLOW LOCAL LISTING Ludlow Castle Gallery Quality affordable picture framing & original objects. Fast friendly service. Gifts & cards by local artisans. Find us just before the Castle Café or contact on 01584 878527 [email protected] www.ludlowcastlegallery.co.uk Artwork Books & Stationery Castle Bookshop 5 Castle Street Ludlow Booksellers and Stationers Free ordering service 01584 872562 [email protected] Myriad Organics 22 Corve Street 01584 879373 myriad-organics.co.uk Ludlow's widest range of organic produce: fruit & veg, wholefoods, groceries, meat & dairy, vegan & vegetarian, natural cleaning products, bodycare & cosmetics. Waste-free shopping options & refills for cleaning products. Local delivery and our popular organic box scheme. Firenze Catering Jackie Thomas - Catering for all occasions. 07526 212176 / 01584 877190 [email protected] Food If you use the services of any of our advertisers please mention that you found their details in the Ludlow Tower.
22 Fitness and Sport Pearce Cycles Friendly, knowledgeable and experienced - your local bike shop for all your cycling needs. Fishmore Road, Ludlow, SY8 3DP. Tel. 01584 879288; [email protected]; www.pearcecycles.co.uk. Open Mon-Fri 9.00am to 5.30pm. Bike sales - repair - hire. Reynolds of Ludlow furniture Wanted by local collector and researcher; any condition considered; will collect. Good prices offered. Tel: 07967 134116. Reynolds Furniture Wanted Frames by Sebastian Bespoke picture framing 6a Pepper Lane Tel: 07815 111554 Picture Framing Matthew Lenthall IT Services Computers, phones and all things technical. Support and maintenance. 12a Corve Street, Ludlow 07828 081163 or 01584 877946 [email protected] IT Services Teme Valley Insurance Brokers For your Home, Car, Business or Farm quote Call Mark or Sue on 01584 290055 [email protected] Insurance Services William Griffin Memorials erected in marble, stone and granite. House name plates – Doorsteps & windowsills. 33A Corve Street, Ludlow SY8 1DL. Tel: (01584) 872893 (01584) 877422 evenings Mobile 07967 126451 Monumental Sculptor
23 Property services and maintenance James Mackenzie Carpentry & Joinery Reliable / High Quality Work. Building Services, Gosford Cottage, Little Hereford, Ludlow SY8 4AR Call 01584 711326 or 07870428948. Email [email protected] Carpentry Cleaning Hydroclean Services [email protected] Carpet & Upholstery cleaning : Leather cleaning : Hard floor cleaning and stone polishing : Gutter cleaning : Fully insured, fast response, reliable and local. Members of the National Carpet Cleaning Association. www.hydrocleanservices.co.uk 01568 630000 Ken Dodd & Son Chimney Sweep Rotary sweep and vacuum-assisted. Cowls/bird guards supplied and fitted. Woodburners serviced and bricks supplied and fitted. Fully insured and certificates issued. Available for weddings. 01584 873178 • 07702 102044 www.kendoddandsonchimneysweep.co.uk Chimneys & Stoves General Maintenance Steve Wilson Painting and Decorating Internal and external work carried out. Please telephone Steve on: 07818 400764 Email address: [email protected] R Aimson Property Services Carpentry, Home Improvement, Painting & Decorating Mobile: 07864 015086 email:[email protected] Property Services
24 ADVERTISING RATES 2021-22 (for 12 issues) Full page - £280 Half page - £170 Quarter page - £90 Eighth page - £55 Classified - £30 Rates for part-year available on request See above for contact details. ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS, CLUB OR SOCIETY HERE Contact the Parish Office on 01584 872073 or [email protected] Dan Pritchard Garden Services Fully insured - reliable - experienced - competitive. Lawn mowing / hedge cutting / tree surgery / pruning / turfing / planting / landscaping. Call Dan on 07779182636. Covers Ludlow and surrounding areas. Gardening Ian Mackay Quick response, local and reliable. No-obligation fixed quotes. Domestic installation and repairs. Landlord & homeowner safety inspections. Condition reports for house sales. Contact Ian Mackay on 07736 303297 or email [email protected] Electrical Marie’s Alterations and Repairs Well-established Ludlow business. We can shorten or alter most items, new or old. Open: 9am- 5pmTuesday to Friday. Now in new premises so contact us for details 01584 318185 07967 447935 [email protected] www.mariesofludlow.co.uk Alterations Send those special greetings to your loved one HERE for just £7.50. To book email [email protected]
25 WHAT’S ON AT ST LAURENCE’S IN AUGUST Until Sunday 13 August 10am-5pm Exhibition in Lady Chapel Tales of Beatrix Potter Friday 4 5.30pm Choral Evensong - Derby Singers Saturday 5 Organ recital - Peter Dyke 1.00pm Choral Evensong 5.30pm Derby Singers Sunday 6 Choral Evensong 3.30pm Derby Singers Monday 7 3.00pm Open tea Thursday 10 10.00am Christian Aid coffee morning Saturday 12 1.00pm Concert International Young Musicians Saturday 19-Monday 28 10am-5pm Ludlow Art Society Summer Exhibition Saturday 19 1.00pm Concert - Athena Duo (flute and harp) Sunday 20 Celtic Prayer 6.00pm Thursday 24 10.30am Intercessory prayer meeting Saturday 26 1.00pm Concert 7.00pm The Cory Brass Band Midweek Daily prayer Mondays (not in August) 9.30am Holy Communion Wednesdays (not in August) 6.00pm Intercessory Prayers 10.30am Fourth Thursday in month Tower bells practice Mondays 7.30-9.00pm Handbells practice Tuesdays 6.00-7.15pm Choir practice Thursdays (not in Aug) 6.00-8.30pm And at st JOHN’S Daily prayer Wednesdays 9.30am Fridays 9.30am Tea and toast Wednesdays 10.00am Holy Communion Wednesdays 11.30am For the latest news go to https:// stlaurences.org.uk/google-calendar/
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27 Evensong by Richard Morris Weidenfeld and Nicholson, paperback This is not a book about Evensong services – it’s a very readable memoir by the archaeologist son of a clergyman in which he reflects on the place of the Church in England in the modern world. Richard Morris does this from a unique perspective as he is an archaeologist and historian who specialises in the study of churchyard and battlefield archaeology. The book traces Morris’s father’s steps to ordination and life growing up in parsonages new and old in different parts of England. He reminisces about his parents, their family life, the differing customs from parish to parish and the variety of visitors, particularly to his father’s succession of inner-city vicarages. Included among his father’s friends and visitors were some notable figures of the CND movement of the 1960s and the radical theologian John Robinson, Bishop of Woolwich, who caused a storm in 1963 by arguing for the uncoupling of 20th-century Christianity from the beliefs of a prescientific age. But this book is much more than just a memory of a childhood. Richard Morris, a man of extraordinary learning, read English at Oxford then music at York, before moving to Leeds to study archaeology. He was Director of the Institute for Medieval Studies at the University of Leeds and went on to be Professor for Conflict and Culture at Huddersfield. So, the second and third parts of the book also look at the structure and function of the church buildings and the details within them. The Church establishment today, he says, is custodian of a huge number (around 16,000) of ancient monuments, built in two bursts, first around 1,000 years ago (950-1150) and the second 1820–1900. Quite a responsibility. They are fascinating buildings in themselves. He notes that in Wetheringsett church, Suffolk, a plank of wood repurposed as a door turns out to have been the soundboard of a 16thcentury organ. In the same church musical notation in the form of medieval graffiti inscribed at eye level beside doors and on pillars probably once provided prompts for processing clergy and choristers. As another reviewer says, ‘the contrasting strands in Richard’s life are woven together in a book that is eclectic, discursive, and multi-layered. Reading it is like sitting by the fire, listening to a skilled raconteur pouring out an endless stream of anecdotes’. Jemima Lord The Times says: …There is an elegiac decency to this book. In its restrained, courtly way it reminds us of the Christian context to British life that we are losing with each historical shrug from our leaders. reflectionS on the church in england
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29 Double trouble - drought and flood People in Kenya desperately need our help - on two fronts. Drought across East Africa has led to crop failure and widespread food shortages. People in Kenya are paying the devastating price for the climate crisis they have done nothing to create. Julius' family, for example, is one of the thousands on the verge of starvation. Such families are facing the impossible choice between water, food or medicine. The scale of the tragedy is unthinkable. Millions are struggling to afford food. Consider the people with disabilities, who can't travel to work or to food aid stations. Unless they have friends who can help, they will starve. A spokesperson for the Kenyan Global Team for Disability charity has reported that people are already dying. At the other end of the continuum from this devastating drought, Tear Fund has warned that more than 200 million of the world's poorest people are under increased threat from destructive floods caused by plastic pollution. It is not just that plastic blocks the waterways and drains at a time when climate change makes rainfall more intense. Contaminated water leads to severe health problems such as cholera and other diarrhoeal diseases. This is yet another report that demonstrates that it is the poorest communities who are bearing the brunt of the plastics crisis. Of the 218 million people worldwide at risk of aggravated flooding, 41 million are young children, older people and people with disabilities. All are at greater risk from the resulting health problems. There is no public organised waste rubbish collection so people have to dump, burn or pay for private removal collection. It is hoped that the report commissioned by Tear Fund will result in the biggest lifechanging impact on the lives of the poorest people, in the urban slums where waste collection is rare and drainage infrastructure is already poor. What can we do about it? ‘Every little helps’. We can avoid using plastic, recycle where we can, buy local and cut back, as far as we are able, on flying and on using energy where not strictly necessary. Meanwhile the Christian Aid coffee morning is very soon -Thursday 10 August. We hope to see you there. Claire Wilcox A flow of plastic waste
30 141A Vintage & Retro Collectables Centre Open Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat 10am - 5pm Closed Tues & Sun 141A Corve Street, Ludlow SY82PG 01584 877 572 /141A @godsellmark Ludlow Curtain Company The Stables, Station Drive, Ludlow SY8 2PQ Tel 01584 875533 [email protected] Here for all your soft furnishing needs, from curtains and all types of blinds to cushions, upholstery and curtain poles. Fabrics now available on the roll. Victoria Allen Funeral Services An Independent Family Business Pre- Paid Funeral Plans Home Visits Always Available 24 Hour Service 01584 879035 LOCAL MAN wishes to buy Antiques, Bric à brac, Collectables and Deceaseds’ Effects Please call 01584 892128 07508 809710 Garden maintenance Michael Doyle Plantsman Over 30 years’ experience 07855 930641 [email protected]
31 Christian Apologetics Means Not Having to Say Sorry Apologia is a Greek legal word - the reasoned justification of a position. Apologetics derives a scriptural authority from 1 Peter 3:15: … be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you … The stated aim of the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics is to help thinkers to believe, and believers to think. Many object to Christianity because they have unconsciously absorbed the zeitgeist holding that Christians are superstitious, unintelligent, and believe in unverifiable myths. In fact, the gospel can be defended as rational, coherent, and according closely with reality. Apologetics borrows from logic and philosophy. It can be seen as the leading edge of evangelism; it is often necessary to address peoples’ objections before it is possible for them to move to a position of faith. For instance, one area that is often challenged by the secular world is the Creation account in Genesis. Genesis is poetry, written in the formulaic style common to many oral histories. Is it intended as a literal scientific account? Genesis does contain the essential elements of the process. The Kalam Cosmological Argument runs thus: 1. Whatever begins to exist has a cause. 2. The universe began to exist. 3. Therefore, the universe has a cause. This points to a creator/creative event necessarily outside of creation. The best scientific knowledge states that there was an event 13.8 billion years ago dubbed Big Bang, which resulted in the universe around us. John 1 tells us: 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God … 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made ... An alternative translation of the Greek word logos (here rendered as word) is ‘reason’. Let’s re-read this passage substituting reason for word. This reveals that the reason we have a universe at all is that God created everything from nothing. This is just one way in which scripture is remarkably consistent with cosmological accounts. There are numerous examples of how scripture, far from being mythical, accords very well with the real nature of the world in which we live. If you are interested in learning more contact [email protected].
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33 GRAVE MATTERS: the reverend Algernon Edward Barker Just to your right as you approach the Linney entrance to St Leonard’s Churchyard lies a curious memorial. The inscription simply states: ‘In memory of the Reverend Edward Algernon Barker, died January 21st, 1894, aged 82 years’. The more I tried to find out about him, the more unanswered questions arose. Algernon was the only son of Jabez and Susanna Barker, of Madeley. Jabez was a well-to-do landowner and a partner in a profitable ironworks at Sawley, who left Edward and his only sibling Eliza an extensive estate of land and property in Shropshire and several adjoining counties in England and Wales. After his father’s death Edward became an articled clerk to a law firm in Liverpool, later enrolling as an undergraduate at Trinity College, Cambridge. He graduated Bachelor of Arts in 1838, was ordained priest at Hereford Cathedral in the following year, and was awarded his MA in 1841. He was still resident at Trinity College in 1845, according to a list of electors in Liverpool, where he also owned property. By 1861 he and his sister were both living in Broad Street, Ludlow, where they remained until they died, Eliza in 1873 and Edward in 1894. He is listed among the Cambridge University alumni (and still was in the 1881 Census) as being 'without cure of souls'. He certainly had no financial need of a benefice and presumably experienced no particularly strong vocation for an active ministry. Could he have been the diocesan exorcist? Or was he so unpersonable that the diocese overlooked him? There may be a clue in what follows… The coroner's report in the Ludlow Advertiser for 24 January 1894 states that he died from injuries sustained as the result of a fall at his home at 27 Broad Street, 14 days previously. In the last of several wills dated 1889, he left an estate worth £156,000, all, apart from a few minor bequests, bequeathed to his sole surviving executor Thomas Henry Atherden, a bank manager, to whom he seems to have been entirely unrelated. A court action was promptly taken by a Mr Thompson Plevins and his family as next of kin, challenging the validity of the will on the grounds of Edward's signature and of his soundness of mind. The judge found in favour of the beneficiary, Mr Atherden who, we must assume, commissioned this appropriately expensive monument to his benefactor. But if someone left me their fortune, I'd at least have ensured that the epitaph was complimentary. Nick Ford Revd Barker’s gravestone, St Leonard’s churchyard
LUDLOW CAR SHARE Join at: http://www.co-wheels.org.uk/ shropshire Local contacts: Cut your travel costs and help beat climate change Our club is a community run, not-forprofit enterprise We operate low emission, automatic Toyota hybrid cars Book a car for as long as you need from 30 mins to several days Smart card technology - book online or by phone You pay only an hourly charge plus mileage We pay fuel, insurance, road tax and breakdown cover As a member you can book Co-wheels Come and SEE our Mediaeval stained glass Mediaeval misericords View from the Tower Bells and Carillon Icon Coffee shop Snetzler organ Gift shop Celtic Prayer An Evening Liturgy St Laurence’s Church, Ludlow Third Sunday of the month 6pm A simple service in a style used by the Iona Community Call Pat Helm 01584 877683 Helen Blyth 01584 875041 Sunday 20 August
35 AN AUTUMN CHURCH AMBLE Programme 9.30am Dep Ludlow Assembly Rooms 10.00 Leintwardine History Society display and coffee 11.15 St Mary Magdalene - misericords and Art Hub 12.30 Lunch - Lion Inn, Leintwardine 2.00 Coach to Brampton Bryan 2.15 St Barnabas - Lottery Heritage Fund project 3.00 Tea at Aardvark Books 4.00 Return to Ludlow 4.30 Arr Ludlow Assembly Rooms St Mary Magdalene, Leintwardine St Barnabas, Brampton Bryan The Palmers will be repeating the very well received Monmouthshire Church Crawl in spring 2024 for those who could not secure a place on the coach in March. Tuesday 17 October 2023 Following the successful spring Monmouthshire church tour the Ludlow Palmers are planning an outing to Leintwardine and Brampton Bryan. Travel will be by coach, due to the lack of parking at either site and to keep the party together. Speakers on the tour: Mike Dugdale - Brampton Bryan Lottery Heritage Fund project Viv Simkins - Leintwardine primary school churchyard activities project Andy Pearson - misericord carver Mike Rix - LHS events and walks Paul Cooper Jones - St Mary Magdalene Arts Hub Booking and payment: The outing is open to everyone. The cost, inclusive of coach, lunch, tea, and guides is £27.00 if booked and paid by 1 October, thereafter £30.00. To book or for queries ring Francesca Bingham on 01547 540600 or 07810 277728 or call in Buttercross Museum on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 10am-2pm. To pay by cheque (payee CTSLL): Send to CTSLL, c/o Francesca Bingham, 19 Watling Street, Leintwardine, Craven Arms, SY7 0LW. To pay by Bank Transfer (ref Autumn Church Amble): Account name: CTSLL Nat West Acc No: 82517193 Sort Code: 53-81-18
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37 Perfect Partners in cream The summer holidays are here and what says summer more than ice cream? Icon Coffee stocks the brilliant Berry’s ice cream in perfectly sized tubs (100ml), just shy of two regular scoops in five delicious flavours (one dairyfree). Berry’s (previously Just Rachel) has been making artisanal ice cream for three decades using the best local ingredients from Herefordshire. Smooth whipping cream from local herds, fresh fruit from the county’s orchards and British sugar combine to make perfectly scrumptious treats. We all know Icon Coffee serves fabulous speciality-grade coffee. Now try that combined with ice cream, yes caffè affogato! An Italian dish, affogato means drowned and that is what it is: strong, hot espresso coffee poured over smooth, cold, delicious vanilla ice cream, thus drowning it. There are many perfect partnerships in this world but few can compete with the deliciousness, the contrast and the simplicity of affogato. Pop into Icon Coffee in the church to try one. a verray, parfit, gentil knyght I am sure everyone reading this magazine will have been delighted that Terry Waite was awarded a Knighthood in the Birthday Honours in June. In all those long five years of praying for him during his incarceration, I never dreamt that one day I would meet him, let alone that I would have lunch with him at his London Club. That was to discuss the lecture he kindly was to give in my last parish. About a hundred more people in church than we could officially hold attended. You cannot find the words to express his courage and faith. But he is also an engagingly humble man. I will never forget the story he told of a lady accosting him in Blackheath. She asked if he was Terry Waite, and said ‘My little girl has just said, ‘That’s Terry Waite over there. He used to be an ostrich’. A great man. As I said in sending this photograph to my children, ‘This man makes me feel small in every sense.’ To quote Chaucer, he is ‘a verray, parfit, gentil knyght.’ Andrew Body
38 God made Adam bit Noah arked Abraham split Joseph ruled Jacob fooled Bush talked Moses balked Pharaoh plagued People walked Sea divided Tablets guided Promise landed Saul freaked David peaked Prophets warned Jesus born God walked Love talked Anger crucified Hope died Love rose Spirit flamed Word spread God remained. Anonymous The Bible in 50 words This CartoonChurch.com cartoon by Dave Walker originally appeared in the Church Times. THE LIVING ROOM On holiday in August Next service - 10 September
39 Many of you will know that St Laurence was martyred, by being placed on a gridiron over a fire, during the persecution of Christians by Emperor Valerian, dying on 10 August 258 AD. The story goes that Laurence, one of seven deacons in Rome under Pope Sixtus II, was responsible for the treasures of the Church and the distribution of alms to the poor. After Sixtus was put to death Laurence was ordered to present the riches of the church to the prefect. When the prefect arrived Laurence presented the indigent of Rome, among whom he had distributed the money and everything of value, declaring that they represented the treasures of the church, Not really what the prefect had in mind so he ordered that Laurence be killed. The grisly tale goes on to tell how, when St Laurence was on the grill/gridiron, after a time he called out that he was ‘done on this side - turn me over’. Continuing the gruesome note Laurence is now the patron saint of barbeques. There are many churches, places, rivers, bridges and so on named for St Laurence, (or St Lawrence, San Lorenzo, San Laurent etc) but our church is of course the closest to our own hearts. There are many depictions of St Laurence around the Church. Indeed during the summer holidays our children’s quiz is acknowledging St Laurence’s feast day by asking the children to locate some of them. (Warning – there are at least 35!) The most recent addition to that number is the icon of St Laurence, written by Caroline Lees and blessed by Bishop Richard in October 2020. The Shop stocks replicas of the icon in several sizes, all hand mounted onto reclaimed wood by a specialist in iconography. These are heritage pieces and well worth the investment. It is also worth remembering that all proceeds in The Shop go to the upkeep of our beautiful church. In honour of St Laurence buy an Icon and display it by your barbecue this summer! Tales from the barbecue Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm The Shop at St Laurence Mobile: 07833 866485 www.theshopatstlaurence.co.uk
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41 The Rectory St James the Least My dear Nephew Darren Your suggestion that every month at clergy meetings, someone should review a book of theology they have been reading, was bound to be greeted with uneasy resistance. It would mean that the majority would have to start opening books, rather than just occasionally dusting them. Owning books does not necessarily mean that they are ever read. Your high-church colleagues will only read the Racing News, low-church members the Railway Review, liberals the Knitting Weekly and those with tendencies towards non-conformism, the Vegetarian Times. Clerical studies may be lined with books, but they are largely for effect – and to hide damp patches on the wallpaper. Anything with hard covers will have been bought with the best of intentions - but somehow the vicarage lawn or the church hall drains will have taken precedence. And from what I know of your colleague over at St Crispin’s, the only books he will buy will be to colour in. I do try to keep up with my reading but sleep mercifully intervenes after the first ten minutes. On those days when I sit by my study window, so passers-by can see me deeply occupied in intellectual activity, it is most useful that my large tome on the letters of Eusebius can easily conceal the Agatha Christie inside. I confess that I was once gloriously put down when I tried to impress one of our blue stockings by mentioning a new edition of a Dostoevsky novel. She replied, “I have never read Dostoevsky in translation”. It only confirmed my suspicions that she had worked as a Russian spy in earlier years. I was hugely impressed when, during the bitter cold of last winter, the Earl of Stowe, whose library would comfortably contain one of our cathedrals, told me he was slowly getting through its contents of tens of thousands of volumes. It was only some time later that I discovered he meant he threw the occasional one on the fire, when he was running low on wood. No, my dear Darren, the only literary activities that will spark interest will be crosswords for the majority or diocesan reports for the truly dedicated – with weighty tomes being used as door stops. Your loving uncle, Eustace On WHY IT IS SO HARD TO READ Another letter from ‘Rev Dr Gary Bowness’s ‘Uncle Eustace’ to his curate nephew
42 Ludlow St Laurence Parish Office 01584 872073 Office Administrator Nicky Luck Finance Manager Peter Nield Gift Aid Secretary Michael Hunt Director of Music Michael Oakley Custodian Matthew Lenthall Conservation Trust Chair Ian Marshall PCC Churchwardens Dick Franks 892019 Lesley Harling 318309 Assistant Churchwarden Michael Davies 07970 434822 Electoral Roll Officer Dick Franks 892019 Safeguarding Officer Dick Franks 892019 PCC Minutes Secretary Jacs Higgs 872073 Bible Reading Penelope Bridstrup 876992 Fellowship Flowers Sue Thornley 872292 Monthly Prayer Group Sandi Burley 873155 Tower Captain Richard Bracher 811514 Ludlow Tower editor Lesley Harling 318309 Find this and previous issues of the Ludlow Tower on line at www.stlaurences.org.uk Ludlow St John Parish Office Nicky Luck 872073 Churchwarden Mike Beazley 873570 Treasurer Mike Beazley 873570 PCC Secretary Mike Beazley 873570 Electoral Roll Sue Thomas 0792990671 Ashfords Benefice Rector Revd Lynn Money Parish Office Sarah Davies 01584 319381 Bromfield Benefice Rector Revd Justin Parker Parish Office Martin Scott 07493 247184 COPY DEADLINE FOR THE NEXT ISSUE TUESDAY 1 AUGUST There is no guarantee that material submitted will be included. Please send articles by email to [email protected] We are happy to receive contributions and suggestions for inclusion in the magazine. Please limit items to no more than 400 words, except by prior agreement with the editor. Parish of Ludlow Saint Laurence Registered Charity No 1132703 PARISH DIRECTORY Ludlow St Laurence Parish Office, 2 College Street, Ludlow, Shropshire. SY8 1AN (currently closed for refurbishment) e-mail: [email protected] website: www.stlaurences.org.uk For appointments (Monday or Thursday 9.30am-12.30pm at Hands Together Ludlow (Lower Galdeford) call 01584 872073 Rector: Revd Preb Kelvin Price 07799 243867 Pioneer Curate & Intergenerational Missioner: Revd Wayne Davies 07545 438892
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