2011
St Lawrence Church
We had the pleasure of Clare Wells leading morning prayer on 12 December, the 3rd Sunday in Advent. She gave a clear and dignified sermon concerning the second coming of Christ: food for thought in an era of a pointless war in Afghanistan, of riotous and destructive students willing everything to be for free, and successive parliaments of overpaid politicians incapable of cutting national coats according to cloth.
Barney Henderson
The Christmas Scene
Victor Charles, our oldest inhabitant at 93 and nearly blind, again erected his ‘Christmas Scene’ outside his house, Rose Cottage. This gives so much pleasure to us here in the village and to all who pass through. He was helped by David Poulsom in carrying out the heavy steel cabinet – no easy feat. Victor is an example to us. He refuses to allow age to weary him.
Barney Henderson
Thoughts and prayers
We are all thinking of Emily Rickett, the daughter of John and Fanny Rickett. Emily is seriously ill in hospital in Birmingham, where she continues to receive outstanding care. Clare Wells led prayers for Emily in St Lawrence on Sunday 12 December.
Barney Henderson The late Penelope Hughes-Hallett
A fine gravestone was placed in St Lawrence graveyard on 7 December in loving memory of Penelope Hughes-Hallett.
Barney Henderson
Barton Village Hall
The snow and ice has affected our village hall programme with many cancellations and rebookings. One class which was not affected was the Christmas willow weaving on 26 November. This was a fun day with each student taking home a range of naturalistic Christmas decorations.
2008
The heavens opened for Barton’s summer 2007 fete and they opened again for the annual Christmas fair. Despite this, eight wonderful people turned up to run the fair, and all have been thanked by letter. This year we raised £377.83 for the Old School funds. Over £100 came from the sale of the three handsome Christmas cakes donated (and expertly made) by Doreen Richardson. We are very grateful to Doreen. The first two raffle prizes were won by James Hayman-Joyce and David Brown won the third prize. A most enjoyable village drinks party was hosted by the Management Committee of the Old School on Thursday 20 December.
St Lawrence Church
£38 was sent by the PCC towards this year's Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.
On behalf of the PCC we would like to thank the Reverend Richard Smith and his wife Jane for all the sterling work they do for young people in the Benefice.
The PCC also wishes to commend Mrs Kim Petty in Barton for the work she does to help young people. These church-led efforts are greatly appreciated.
Barney Henderson
Parish Council
The Council is delighted that planning permission has at last been given by Stratford District Council to Mr and Mrs Seymour-Smith to build an underground house at Hill Barn. We all look forward to seeing the clever construction when it is completed.
Barney Henderson
Olivia Shipton
Olivia Shipton, granddaughter of John Shipton of the ‘Fold’ in Barton, and an undergraduate at Cambridge, was presented with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award on 24 October.
Well done Olivia.
The Dawsons
John and Elizabeth Dawson are well and send their good wishes for 2008 to all in Barton. Their business is prospering and after a short holiday in the Caribbean they will be moving in the spring to an old property near Bergerac where they will both live and expand their gluten-free food business. They are avid readers of Barton’s monthly LINK news, sent to them via email.
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