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Window Watch
Once again we can report that a generous sum has been received into the Window Fund. £26 has been collected in September, making a total for this year, £145.00.
We thank you for your continued support.
World’s Biggest Coffee Morning
This year, Onehouse joined in this venture for the first time. We thank all those who came along to support and £58.60 was sent along to Cancer Relief. We shall do better next year, I’m sure.
Church Room Booking Arrangements
After more than seven years in charge, Ron Cruickshanks is handing over the reins to others with effect the end of September. From 1st October bookings should be made with Kathleen Butt at 12 Northfield Road - telephone 613388. Arrangement for collecting and returning the key should be made with her also. Invoices will now come direct from the Church Treasurer, Harriet Elliss.
Church Room Surrounds and Car Park
It would appear that CCTV and the vigilance of the police in Stowmarket has moved the problems of unsocial behaviour of teenagers to the neighbouring parishes including Onehouse. Groups of youngsters from 12 to late teens are regularly congregating by the Community Centre and the Church Room. While we have no quarrel with youngsters meeting to chat with friends, the PCC members are concerned at the litter being deposited in the car park area. This arises in part from these youngsters telephoning for 'take-away' meals to be delivered from Stowmarket. The car park also seems to be a rallying point for fast cars and motor cycles.
The PCC has no desire to fence off the area, which would penalise legitimate users as well as these trespassers, so in the first instance signs will be placed pointing out that the area is private ground. This will give the police the authority to move on these youngsters, most of whom are from Stowmarket.
If the problem persists then more positive action will be considered.
Men's Breakfast
The speaker at the Men's Breakfast on the 10th was Nick Matter from Combs. He spoke of his recent trip trekking through Nepal. Difficulties of altitude, bandits, clean water, and illness have not dimmed his enthusiasm for the high places and he spoke feelingly about the scenery and the people and passed on some of his love of the natural world to us. He is to be congratulated that his trip was no freebee holiday but raised over £1600 for the Leprosy Mission Society.
Cycle Ride
Not the best of weather for the Cycle Ride this year. Normally we provide light refreshments to our visitors. I think this is the first year we have had to provide towels to dry out people. Numbers were down on last year but it was still a joy to see so many people who are prepared to do something for our nation's churches.
New Start
We welcome our new priest Lindsay who was licensed on 19th July and who will already be known to some as she starts her ministry with us. In at the deep end, she has already been caught for the “From the Team” piece elsewhere in the magazine. Many thanks to those who filled in during the interregnum.
Flower Festival
The flower festival drew lots of visitors and an equal number of comments of praise. We are so lucky to have such talented people in the communities who gave of their time and skill to produce the nursery rhyme displays. Their task was made all the more difficult by the very hot weather which meant that the flowers needed careful nurturing to last the two days. Our heartfelt thanks to them all. If you missed it, you missed an excellent show on your doorstep.
A very special personal 'thank you' from Pauline to everyone who contributed in any way to the Flower Festival in June at Onehouse, which raised between £600/£700 towards the work still outstanding to the fabric of our lovely little parish church.
There are still two items left which people might still like to purchase: cut-outs of the building that children might to make and use perhaps as money boxes, and copies of the etching of the church as it was in 1860 with the extra height on the tower and made by Henry Davy of Ipswich. Any donation for the cut-outs, but we do like to ask £10 for the etchings. These can then be framed in Stowmarket to people's individual taste.
Picnic and Praise
This could have been described as a rain festival but fourteen good souls braved the rain to walk to the Paupers Graves for a service of hymns. The picnic was transferred to 12 Northfield Road (thanks to Kathleen) and would you believe it, there was not another drop of rain until we were all safely home! Better luck next year perhaps.
[The Paupers Graves has changed considerably from the wilderness that Onehouse Parish Council took over, thanks to the efforts of a dedicated team of volunteers. Open walks now circle the area. Well worth a visit.]
Church Room Car Park
Estimates have now been received for the resurfacing of the car park and subject to agreement with the contractor and other parties involved, work should begin to carry out the work.
This will take a minimum of three days, during which time the car park will be closed to all users. As part of the concrete path by the side of the Community Centre will also be involved in the resurfacing, the closure will also affect pedestrians, who should gain access to the Centre via the playing field, either from Ash Road or Woodland Close.
We are in the hands of the contractors and do not have an exact date for the start, however as much notice as possible will be given by means of information boards on the car park. We hope to complete the work with the minimum of disruption to all users, both of the Church Room and of the Community Centre.
All residents are reminded that the car park is private ground and is for Church Room and Community Centre users only. It is not a public car park.
BBC (Books, Browse and Coffee)
BBC restarted on Wednesday mornings at 10.30 am after a summer break. It is not a church service, but a chance to have a chat, a free cup of coffee, to meet people. to look over and borrow books, and to have a change of surroundings. For those supporting the `Fair Trade` ideal, a stall of these goods is available most Wednesdays. Free entry but if you feel like leaving a small donation to cover the expenses we won't say no.
MakePovertyHistory
Christian Aid, Comic Relief, Oxfam, CAFOD, churches, trades unions and a host of celebrities and organisations have joined in what could become the most powerful coalition ever against world poverty - MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY. - for more information see www.makepovertyhistory.org.
'2005 is a year of great opportunity. If everyone who wants to see an end to poverty, hunger and suffering speaks out, then the noise will be deafening. Politicians will have to listen.'
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
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