Saints Alive Winter 2016

Saints Alive!
Winter 2016

ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH
THE AVENUE
H A M P TO N

Christmas At All Saints’ Local News Activities Charities

Winter 2016 Saints Alive!

A Warm Welcome violence. Both Nick’s brothers died of drug and
alcohol abuse. He observed: " If I hadn't have gone to
from prison, then my life wouldn't be as good as it is now. I
never look at it in a negative way." I found Nick’s
Gareth Wardell attitude quite remarkable; many people would be
consumed with anger and bitterness but even in the
Vicar at All Saints’ Hampton midst of the darkness of his situation, he managed
never to lose hope.
Dear Friends
Thankfully most of us will never face the kind of
I was very moved by an interview on the Victoria situation Nick Yaris did. Nevertheless, in different
Derbyshire Programme the other day, widely ways we may find ourselves confronting life
reported in the media – maybe you saw it too? circumstances (sickness, mental illness, bereavement,
the breakdown of a relationship etc.) that can feel
Nick Yaris spent more than two decades on death bleak and utterly overwhelming, as if we are
row in the United States after being wrongly stumbling in the darkness.
convicted of rape and murder. Eventually he was
freed when DNA tests proved his innocence. For 22 In the Church Year, we are about to enter the season
of the 23 years he was in prison, Nick genuinely of Advent. It’s no accident that (in the northern
believed he would be executed. He never had an hemisphere) this occurs in winter-time when the days
apology for being imprisoned for crimes he did not are at their shortest. The key themes of Advent are
commit and spent almost all his time in prison in looking, longing, waiting and hoping in anticipation of
solitary confinement, sometimes being beaten so the promised Light of Christ that is coming into the
badly by prison guards that, on one occasion, his world, for as John’s Gospel reminds us: “the light
retina detached. "The hardest thing to do when shines in the darkness and the darkness has not
people are hurting you” he observed “is to remain a overcome it.”
decent person."
I wish you all a very blessed Advent season, and a very
While on death row, he educated himself about the Happy Christmas when it comes! We look forward to
law, sometimes reading up to three books in a day. seeing you at some of our services over the Advent
"The whole purpose of my education ultimately was and Christmas season.
so I could deliver a statement eloquently before my
execution," he said. With all good wishes, Gareth

He now campaigns for the abolition of the death How to find us:
penalty, has spoken in front of officials at both the
United Nations and European Union and has given All Saints’ Church,
around 300 talks in schools. It was while on a trip to The Avenue, Hampton, TW12 3RG
the UK, to speak to MPs in Parliament, that he fell in
love with England, and subsequently, where he met
and married his wife. He has lived here since 2005.
"It felt like a permanent holiday away from my
woes." he said.

However, there was one statement by Nick that I 020 8979 2102
found particularly startling: "I genuinely believe that www.allsaintshampton.co.uk
being on death row for 22 years ultimately saved my www.facebook.com/allsaintshampton
life. It was the greatest adventure of my life, and I
survived it." What could he possibly mean by this?! Baptisms, Weddings or Banns of Marriage
Now a father and living in Ilchester, Somerset, he To book for Baptisms, Weddings or Banns of Marriage,
recently saw a photo from his own childhood, which
featured 27 other children from the neighbourhood or to discuss any other matters, you are invited to
of Philadelphia where he grew up in the 1970s. He is attend the weekly 'office' in the Church Porch every
the only one still alive, all the others have died
prematurely as a result of drugs, car accidents or Saturday from 11 am until 12 noon.

Winter 2016 Saints Alive!

Who’s Who at All Saints’ Christmas at
All Saints’ Hampton
Vicar: Revd. Gareth Wardell
The Vicarage, 40 The Avenue, Hampton, TW12 3RS 11th December 3.30pm
020 8487 3823 Messy Christingle
[email protected]
Parish Office 18th December 5pm
020 8979 2102 Carol Service
[email protected]
The office is open Tuesday-Friday mornings. 24th December 4pm
At other times messages should be left on the Crib Service
answering machine or via an email.
24th December 11.30pm
Lay Ministers Midnight Mass
Anne Walker
020 8941 0138 25th December 10am
[email protected] Christmas Day Family Service

Sarah Pain Regular Services
020 8979 5140
[email protected] Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
8.30 am Morning Prayer
Chris Saul Wednesday
[email protected] 9.30 am Holy Communion
Church Wardens Saturday
Paula Williams 10.30 am Morning Prayer
020 8941 2082 Sunday
[email protected] 8.00 am Holy Communion

Chrissie Cemm 10.00 am The Parish Communion
020 8783 1854 (1st Sunday of the month is Family
[email protected]
Service)
Pastoral Visiting Team 020 8979 2102
** Front cover design by Kim Loxton **
Come & support us!
Saints Alive!
You can support the Church in a number of ways
 Volunteer to help at events and activities
 Regular giving : ask about our Parish Giving Scheme
 Leave a gift in your will

Advertise in Saints Alive!

If your company would like to advertise in Saints Alive!
the quarterly magazine which reaches 4,000 homes in

Hampton
call: Advertising Administrator on 020 8979 2102

email: [email protected]

Winter 2016

All Saints’ Supporting What does Christmas Mean?

SPEAR is a local charity supported by All Saints’ By Betty Cadle
Church and to whom we recently donated the
Harvest food and collection . What does Christmas mean?
A baby in a manager scene
SPEAR supports people who have experienced Three shepherds and also Kings
homelessness, to find and maintain With presents and all sorts of things?
somewhere to live. They believe that it is not enough Or does it mean the things you have to do
to put a roof over someone's head, so aim to give With shops and gifts you have to queue?
them the skills and confidence to live an independent Or what do you give to Mum?
life. And then there is your little son?
Does it make your mind go in a whirl?
Bruce Warman, Individual and Community Fundraiser, So do you have to be so loyal
tells us about the work of SPEAR. And only think of the Christmas dinner
That makes you fat and not much thinner?
SPEAR stands for Single Person Emergency Christmas time should not always be
Accommodation in Richmond. This was true when we Who has the biggest Christmas tree,
formed but as we now work in Kingston, Merton and And “What have you got for me?
Wandsworth, we keep it just as a name. It must mean something more.
“Who’s that knocking at the door?”
SPEAR was founded 29 years ago by Penny Wade, a Someone collecting for the poor
Richmond resident driven into action when two rough So they could get out of the cold,
sleepers she knew died by the River Thames. SPEAR Not like the story told of old.
was born on the principle that no one should have to Mary and Joseph found no room at the Inn,
die through lack of a home and started with one hostel Hoped that someone would let them in
offering much needed shelter. Out of the nasty wind and storm
So that they could get nice and warm.
Since SPEAR’s inception, services offered have So what could Christmas mean,
broadened to meet the changing needs of local rough Besides the Christmas Manger Scene?
sleepers, as gaining accommodation is just a starting Do you know Hampton has a Food Bank
point on a journey to recovery. For some, the only At YMCA White House Community Association?
help needed in accommodation is demonstrating to a Would you buy an extra item with your shopping
private landlord that with SPEAR’s support, there is To donate for someone who needs to use our Food
little risk of default. Others might need to spend
several months in a hostel with SPEAR staff present 24 Bank?
hours a day. You can find out what is needed if you pop into
The White House, someone there will tell you
The Skills & Development
Team also offer a wide variety “Thank You”!
of services depending on
client need. Sadly this often Saints Alive!
requires building self-worth
and esteem before practical
skills such as literacy, numeracy and employability can
be addressed.

The recent additions of Health, Peer Mentoring and
Domestic Violence teams supplement this core work.

SPEAR’s work is only possible through the assistance of
the local community. SPEAR are grateful for all that
local residents do to help clients move from
homelessness to independence.

For further information contact Bruce Warman on 020
7306 9774 or [email protected]

Winter 2016

All Saints’ Registers Christmas Gift Idea:

Baptisms M&M Christmas Poem Jar
We welcome into the Family of Christ’s Church:
An easy but meaningful gift to make this Christmas.
Adam Eren Gulle
Emilia Ayla Gulle All you need is a glass jar, M & Ms, a piece of ribbon and
this poem. Just fill the jar with M & Ms, seal it and wrap
Weddings with the ribbon. Write out the poem on a piece of card,
We congratulate those recently married: punch a hole in the top corner attach it with the ribbon.
Poem:
Christine Anne McGhee and Alan Graeme
Edgar As you hold these candies in your hand and turn them you
will see, the ‘M’ becomes a ‘W’, and an ‘E’ and then a ‘3’.
Funerals
We pray for the families of those who have died E is for the East where the star shone so bright.
recently: M is for the manger where the baby Jesus slept at night.
3 is for the wisemen bearing gifts, with which they came.
Sheila Thomas
Audrey Nuthall W is for worship, Hallelujah! Praise His name!
Richard (Dick) Attewell
Iris Brunt
Christopher Dunckley
Pearl Lee

Ymca ad

Winter 2016 Saints Alive!

Activities at All Saints’

All Saints’ Choir The 100 Club

If you enjoy singing and are aged 7 and above you What is so special about the first Sunday of the month
could come and join the All Saints’ Junior Choir. to the members of All Saints’ Hampton? Well…on the
Practice takes place in the Church Choir Vestry first Sunday of every month, following the 10 o’clock
alternate Friday evenings 6.45-7.15pm. service, you will see the members of the congregation
The adult choir practice takes place also on Fridays making their way towards the Church Hall.
from 7-8pm. If you are interested and would like to
know more, please email Is it the thought of the coffee and other treats
Veronica on: prepared by Gaynor and her team for the Monthly
[email protected] Parish Breakfast or is it the friendly chat between
or contact the Parish Office. family and friends?

Ladies Club This is true for most Sundays but on the first Sunday of
the month the 100 Club Draw also takes place.
All Saints’ Ladies Club meet on Tuesday evenings at
7.45pm in All Saints’ Church Hall. A varied “What is the 100 Club?” I hear you say? To increase
programme of speakers and outings are planned for the funds available to All Saints’, a lottery takes place
Winter 2016/17. on the first Sunday of every Month. You can purchase
All ladies are warmly invited to come along. The one or more shares at £12 a share for one year, which
charge is £2.00 per evening, which includes tea/ is 12 draws, January to December.
coffee/biscuits.
Ladies Club will resume on Tuesday 10th January, From the funds raised, 50% goes to the development
meeting at 7.45pm for an 8PM start. of the Church. The remaining 50% is split, 40% for
prizes and 10% which is kept to cover any expenses
and to provide a big prize in December!

So why not join us? The prizes may not match the
national lottery but do help to boost our income
during the year.

Please contact me via the Parish Office if you would
like to purchase a share(s). Keith Goodger.

Community Lunch Club

Our Lunch Club meets in the Small Church Hall once a
month on a Wednesday, generally the last one in the
month—but do check the weekly notice sheet. We
offer a choice of 2 main courses (one always
vegetarian) and 2 desserts, followed by coffee or tea
and a chocolate all for only £5.

We are a small team of volunteers, so we do need to
know in advance how many people we are catering for
and their choice. So for the 2 Sundays before the
lunch we put a list into the Church porch so those
intending to come can sign up for their choice of meal.
If you are unable to get in to sign up for yourself you
are welcome to call the Church Office and ask them to
put your name down for you.

There is always a warm welcome for our lunchers and
it is a good opportunity for those who find they cannot
get out as much as they would like to or used to, to
enjoy the company of others whilst having a relaxing
meal—and leave the washing up afterwards to us!

Winter 2016 Saints Alive!

My Christmas Day

By Gareth Wardell, Vicar at All Saints’

We asked Gareth how he spends his Christmas Day.

Well I suppose, strictly speaking, my Christmas Day begins during the ‘Midnight Mass’
on Christmas Eve (start time, 11.30 pm), when part-way through the service, I get to
be the first person to greet the congregation with the words ‘A very Happy Christmas
Day to you all!’

I think for me, Christmas Eve with the wonderful children’s Crib Service at 4 pm and
then the Midnight Mass is the most holy and sacred part of Christmas. If the themes
of Advent are all about preparation, waiting, and looking forward in hopeful
anticipation, then the Midnight Mass is that moment when we celebrate Christ, the
Light of the World born among us, the Word made flesh, but with all the joy and thrill
of Christmas Day itself still to come.

I usually crawl into bed around 2am, but then I’m up and in Church again for the
Family Service at 10 am. This is always a really joyful, child-focused service, where
presents and, as yet un-broken, toys are much in evidence!

After that I normally set off, doing the rounds of hospital and residential care home visits to see parishioners who
are in hospital or on their own over Christmas. Finally, Libby and I call into the Shooting Star Hospice, to see any
children who are particularly poorly and who need to be in the hospice on Christmas Day.

Then… when all of that is done, I usually drive into London to collect my friend Lesley (she’s the Vicar of a Church
near Barons’ Court) and we drive down to my family in Dorset, exhausted but happy, for a traditional Christmas
dinner in the evening!

Hall hire at All Saints’ Large Hall at All Saints’

All Saints’ has three halls available to hire for parties, exercise classes,
children’s clubs , tuition, meetings and other functions.
Contact the Parish Administrator to discuss hall hire on

020 8979 2102 or
email [email protected]

Winter 2016 Saints Alive!

Children’s Activities at All Saints’

Messy Church

Our Messy Church is primarily aimed at pre-school children and their parents and carers,
although everyone is welcome to join us to share in the stories, songs and crafts which help
us to worship God. We meet on alternate Thursday mornings in term time from 10am in
the Small Church Hall (the alternate weeks we run a Coffee & Play session).

We begin each session with a time of gathering when we can greet one another, share tea,
coffee and biscuits and the children can play freely with the toys. We then sit together and
join in some songs before telling the story from the Bible for that session. This is then
followed by some messy crafts which all aim to highlight the story we have heard.

We then come back together for a few more songs and to hear ‘Charlie’, our monkey puppet relate the Bible
story to the children’s everyday lives before we say a short prayer and say goodbye.

The last session of every term ends with a shared lunch, a time for us to enjoy fellowship together and appreciate
God’s good gifts to us.

There is no charge for any of our sessions, although we hope that those who come will feel that they can put
something in the donation tin as a way of thanking God for all that we enjoy.

We would love you to join us if you are able – or come along to the Messy Christingle if Thursday morning is not a
good time for you!

Sarah Pain

Did you know….

At the Sunday 10am Service, there is a children’s crèche and a Sunday School? They’re run every Sunday apart
from the first Sunday in the month when we have a Family Service. Everyone is welcome!

A relaxed environment for For preschool children and TNT is All Saints’ youth group for 10 to
children aged 0-4 to play and their parents and carers 13-year-olds. The group meet every
Friday from 7.30 - 9.00 pm during term
their parents and carers to FREE crafts, painting, singing & time in the Church Hall.
have a hot drink! toys Come along for fun, games,
refreshments and chat.
Every other Thursday Every other Thursday during
10 - 11.30 am term-time YF is a youth group for 13 to 18-year-
1, 15 December olds. The group meet every Sunday
12, 26 January 10 - 11.30 am between 7.30 – 9.30 pm in the Church
9, 23 February Hall. It’s an opportunity to take part in
9, 23 March 8 December activities: film nights, games evenings,
19 January trips out with people of the same age.
Winter 2016 2 February
2, 16, 30 March To find out more please call Mark
Williams (020 8941 2082), or just come
along and join us.

Saints Alive!

Christingle

Please join us for Christingle celebration on Sunday 11th December!

Messy Christingle will begin at 3.30pm in the Church Hall with the opportunity to enjoy a number of crafts,
including making your own Christingle! These are then taken into the Church for the Christingle celebration. The
Christingle service starts at 4.15pm. Do come and join us and have some fun!

Christingle celebrations are named after the Christingles that are lit during the service. Christingles are made from
an orange decorated with red tape, sweets and a candle. Each piece of the Christingle holds special symbolism to

The Meaning of Christingle The Dried Fruit and Sweets

The Orange Are symbols of God’s creation. For
Represents the World many people, they also represent

the four seasons.

The Red Ribbon The Lit Candle

Indicates God’s love Symbolises Jesus, the light of the
wrapped around the world world, who brings hope to people
and the blood Christ shed
living in darkness
on the cross.

Have a go at our Christingle Word Search:

H S T G E Z J O V D F A ADVENT
A E K W Z P R T P Q B N CANDLE
P A Z A U A O P X Z A T FRUIT
B S T Z N E X H O E V X HOPE
W O N G K U L D X X Y R JESUS
O N E J H N A D P I M E LIFE
R S V J E S U S N F E S LIGHT
L V D N O B B I R A T Q ORANGE
D I A W S L L U V E C Y RIBBON
N E G H Z H I H E F I L SEASONS
W V L H D T Q W A T T K SWEETS
W Y D K T N S C N B P Y WORLD

Winter 2016 Christmas Gift Idea - Reindeer Candy Canes

All you need is 2 candy canes per reindeer, 2 brown pipe cleaners to tie them together, 2
googly eyes and a red pom pom.

Tie the candy canes together with the curly bits of the candy canes facing outwards so that
they look like antlers. Stick on two googly eyes and a red pom pom and you have a candy
cane Rudolph!
You can hang them on your tree or give them as edible gifts.

Saints Alive!

The Rev Elsie Chamberlain (1910-1991)

Such was the interest around Elsie after the Autumn magazine, that we thought we’d include some
more about this amazing pioneer of Christian women ministers, who started our own All Saints’
Wives Club in 1947.

The Rev John St Clare Garrington was Vicar at All Saints from 1946 to 1964 and in 1947 he married
Rev Elsie Chamberlain. Elsie was a Minister in the Congregational Church in Richmond, which was

ahead of its time by ordaining women before the Church of England did.

Elsie was a pioneer in changing the way Christian women ministers were viewed. She
was the first woman chaplain to the RAF before joining the BBC, where she was the
first woman producer in the religious broadcasting department and the first woman to
present the daily service. She worked at the BBC for 27 years so you often heard her on
Pray for Today, The Daily Service and the popular Lift Up Your Hearts!

In 1954 Elsie went to the USA to a World Conference with other Church Ministers.

John and Elsie left All Saints’ in 1964 and went to a parish in Greenstead-Juxta-Onger in Essex. The church is
partly pre-Norman with an exceptionally interesting and unique Nave. If you are ever near there it is worth a
visit!

Elsie Chamberlain was also minister of the North Street Congregational Church in Taunton from 1980-1986, the
first woman minister in Taunton. The old school building was renamed “Chamberlains” commemorating her
time as minister.

The book ‘Elsie Chamberlain, The independent Life of a Woman Minister’ by Alan Argent is an interesting read.

Keep Warm and Well  When indoors, try not to sit still for more than
an hour. Walk around, make a warm drink and

by spread chores throughout the day.
 Chair-based exercises are helpful if walking is

difficult, along with moving your arms and legs

Keeping warm over the winter months can help to prevent and wiggling your toes.

colds, flu and serious health problems such as heart Read Age UK’s free guides Winter Wrapped Up and

attacks, strokes, pneumonia and depression. Age UK More Money in your Pocket for more information.

recommends that you: Call 0800 169 6565 or download them from

 Heat your rooms to a minimum of 18°C (65°F). If you www.ageuk.org.uk/richmonduponthames

can’t heat all the rooms, just heat the living room Age UK Richmond: 020 8878 3073 or

during the day and the bedroom just before you go to Email address: [email protected]
sleep.

 Keep your bedroom window closed at night. Breathing Christian Aid
in cold air could put you at risk of a chest infection. Christmas Appeal 2016

 Use a wheat bag or hot water bottle

 Make sure you are receiving any benefits you are Celebrating Jesus, the light who came into

entitled to. Your local Age UK can help. the world, at Christmas we fill our homes with

 Have regular hot drinks and eat at least one hot meal light and laughter, family and friends.

a day if possible. Eating regularly helps keep energy But for more than 65 million people who are
levels up during winter. fleeing from conflict and crises, a joyful home is a
distant memory. Forced out by the darkness of
 Wear several light layers of clothes, rather than one violence and fear, they're searching for safety and
thick layer. Thermal underwear is good as a base refuge.
layer.

 Keep your feet warm with warm stockings or socks . This Christmas 2016, another human being needs
Avoid anything too tight which can restrict circulation. a beacon of hope. You can be the one to shine the
Bed socks are also a good idea. light towards a brighter future. You can light the
way. Find out how you can make a difference by
 Get active! Essential for general wellbeing and fitness going to christianaid.org.uk/christmas-appeal
and it generates heat and helps to keep you warm.

Winter 2016 Saints Alive!

The Story of the Local Business Puzzle

Church Wall Hanging Find the name in the Word Search above, then
enter the type of business in the list below.
We are often asked about the beautiful wall hanging we An example has been shown.
have in the Church, which was featured on the front cover
of the Autumn issue of Saints’ Alive! magazine. OWDBWXWMAFIQXUB
CMCBGJDRUYKBVWV
After the refurbishment of the Church we found we had a LOCHLWATCHORNST
collection of stunning kneelers which unfortunately did ABLMHAFFENDENDH
not fit the new chairs. These had all been beautifully IAATPJXGFQTOMDB
embroidered by members of the Parish, often personally TKRRRRMIOZTXAUZ
dedicated, under the leadership of the late Audrey Sturt. MEKRCGELUSHERBO
A good friend of Gareth’s, The Revd Sonia Falaschi-Ray, FREOJLVWIRLRCHP
suggested we think about removing the padding from the GSSWDLAREEEIHWA
kneelers and combining the covers to make a wonderful EENSLIFYSTRTNEG
wall hanging. ULOIADAMSETNEGE
YLTECXJULPKSJAS
Those who particularly wanted the kneelers that they had OOWRKCMARTINSBZ
either worked on or which had been personally dedicated GHESCENDHVPTOGP
were set aside. Bill Butler and his wife Judith with their WTNPQDHOPESJPFT
experience of theatre design, together with ideas from DESRMIIRELANDJM
Gareth and from Gaynor Chick, set out the pattern of the
kneelers. Under Bill’s guidance they were taken apart, the Former Businesses in Hampton
sides folded back and stitched helped by Gillian Baker,
Veronica Barnes, Margaret Bestley, Vernon Dawes, Judi A____*c_______
Lomas, Kim Loxton, Laura Stewart, Glenys Sharpe, Patricia B_____*t___
Stone, Anne Thomsett and Andrea Williams. Barclays*bank
B _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _* p _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
When finished the wall hanging was attached to a B____*e_________
wooden frame made by David Austin and fixed to the wall C______*n________
with the help of Anna and William Morris. E____*g__________
F______*g_____
As you walk into the Church you cannot help but admire G______*b______
the work and dedication that has gone into its creation. H________*n________
H_____*b______
H____*g__________
I______*b______
J___*d____
L_____*f_______
M____*b______
M______*c______
N______*h_______
P____*h___________
P_____*p______
P_______*d____
W________*b______

By Harry Saunderson

(answers can be found at the back!)

Winter 2016 Saints Alive!

Weekly Classes At All Saints

Some classes and Sunday School do not run in the
school holidays. Please check with the Parish Office.

Monday Yoga
10.30-11.30am Karate
4.15-6.15pm Exercise Class
6.45-8.15pm

Tuesday Perform2Perfection Pilates Line Up and Dance at All Saints’
9.15-10.45am Line Dancing
1.10-3.10pm Soundsteps Keyboard Class I have been teaching people to Line Dance in the All
4.00-6.00pm Ladies Club Saints’ Church Hall for almost 18 years. Classes are
7.45-10pm held twice a week and I am happy to say they are
Multisports well attended.
Wednesday Powerhoop
9.30-10.45am Baby Discovery Some of my dancers have been coming since the
11.00-12.00pm Perform Drama Class very first class all that time ago. Many more have
12.30-2pm Zumba come & gone over the years.
4.00-6.00pm Antenatal Yoga
7.00-8.00pm Rubies Dance Class It’s a wonderful form of exercise, it challenges the
8.00-9.00pm brain as well as the feet and best of all we have
8.00-10.00pm Messy Church / Coffee & Play great fun learning it. Many friends have been
Line Dancing made, lots of talking and
Thursday Rubies Dance Class laughing goes on and in
10.00-11.30am Kelly’s Dance Class between the smiles and
10.10-12.10am conversation we Line Up
7.00-7.45pm Hartbeeps and Dance!
8.00-10.00pm Church Youth Group (TNT)
Jean Bannister
Friday
9.30– 12.00pm
7.30-9.00pm

Saturday Antenatal yoga
8.15-19.45am Soundsteps Keyboard Class
10.00-12.00pm

Sunday Sunday School
10.00am Church Youth Group (YF)
7.30-9.30pm

Winter 2016 Saints Alive!

The Winter Garden

By Bob Singers

With the onset of winter, you are probably thinking that you can put your tools
away until the spring, but not so! There are wonderful times to be had in the
garden this time of year. On a fresh crisp morning, you can guarantee there’ll be
spiders’ webs shimmering in the hedgerow, a symphony by the birds and the
friendly little robin with its feathers puffed out against the cold. In freezing
conditions our feathered friends need fresh drinking water and food to survive
such as sunflower seeds, peanuts and especially balls of fat, much as we
gardeners appreciate an occasional cup of steaming hot coffee and a slice of
toast.

As there’s less lawn and border work to do in the winter, it is the ideal season to
spend time on the general maintenance of your garden. You may have bushes and
shrubs that are on the unruly side and need tidying up or fences that require
mending; it’s so much easier to do these jobs when the garden is dormant.

The last of those autumn leaves should have already been gathered up by now but care must be taken in disposing
of certain leaves. Remember, if any of those leaves are from roses which had black spot, do not put them on the
compost heap and must be disposed of separately. Black spot thrives in wet, humid weather producing spores
which can survive the winter affecting next season’s new growth.

Now that last summer’s bedding plants have withered, you can prepare your beds for next summer. The spring
bulbs we planted in flowerpots in September/October will now have a good root system so we can bury them,
pots and all, in the freshly prepared summer beds.

All tender plants should now be in the greenhouse or protected from the frost. If your plants are kept at a
temperature of around five degrees, they should survive even the worst weather. By keeping my geraniums at the
right temperature last year, I had them in flower all through the winter.

During these long dark months you may be tempted to buy house plants for yourself or as presents; be particularly
careful when doing so. It is better to purchase them through garden centres or nurseries where the plants are
labelled, of nice shape, have plenty of buds and are not pot-bound. If you can say yes on all these counts, the plant
should be nice and healthy and give many weeks of pleasure.

So, put on that warm coat, hat and gloves and go find the magic in your winter garden.

Let it Grow

Winter 2016 Weeding/Hedge Trimming
Leaf clearance/Lawn mowing
Garden Planning/Landscaping

Vegetable Gardens/Raised
Beds

Fencing

David Austin
Phone 07766 630 483
E mail: [email protected]

Saints Alive!

Winter Recipes

Thick Vegetable Soup with Melted Norfolk Vinegar Fruit Cake
Cheese Croutons
I enjoy cooking and when on a Saga holiday at after-
Serves 6 People noon tea we had a slightly unusual cake, which I would
describe as a substantial sponge cake. I enjoyed it
Soup greatly, so obtained the recipe from the chef and here
2 large carrots, peeled and grated it is. It is not difficult to make! By John Wallace
2 large parsnips, peeled and grated
2 large onions, skinned and chopped Ingredients:
1oz (25g) pearl barley
1oz (25g) Red split lentils 225g butter, cubed and cold from the fridge
14oz (400g) tin of chopped tomatoes, sieved 450g self-raising flour
1 level teaspoon dried mixed herbs 225g caster sugar
1.5 litres vegetable stock 225g raisins
Salt and pepper to taste 225g sultanas
Croutons 180ml milk, plus 1 tablespoon
6 slices French bread / baguette 2 tablespoons (30ml) vinegar
2oz (50g) strong mature cheese, grated 1 teaspoon (5ml) bicarbonate of soda

To cook: Method:
 Place carrots, parsnips, onions, barley, lentils and
 Preheat the oven to 180°C/gas mark 4. Liberally
tomatoes into a large casserole dish or saucepan, butter a deep 23cm cake tin.
sprinkle with salt and pepper and add the vegeta-
ble stock  Rub the cold butter into the flour with your finger-
 Bring everything up to simmer and cover and sim- tips until you have a crumb-like consistency
mer for 2 hours
 About 5 minutes before serving preheat the grill  Mix the sugar and dried fruit
to its highes setting  Pour the milk into a large jug or bowl and add the
 Sprinkle cheese over the slices of bread and then
lay them over the top of the soup vinegar
 Place the casserole under the grill until the  Mix the bicarbonate of soda with the tablespoon
cheese is melted and becomes tinged with
brown. of milk and add to the milk and vinegar in the jug –
 Serve and enjoy be careful it might froth up and overflow, hence
the large jug
By Sandra Saunderson  Stir the liquid into the flour mixture, mix well with
a wooden spoon and pour into the cake tin.
 Bake in the oven for 30 minutes, then reduce the
heat to 160°C/gas mark 3 and bake for a further 1-
1¼ hours (check after 1 hour). Cover the top with
foil if it starts to look too dark.
 Cool on a rack and store in an airtight container.

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