'Virus Ditty' (No.5)
(Best sung to any well known tune - the 'Mexican Hat Dance' works well)
How many long days since it started?
365 and more have gone by.
My nerves have been worn to a frazzle.
My hair it falls down to my eye.
At first it was shortage of foodstuffs
And no going out for a treat.
But then as the lockdown gripped firmer
Few passing dog walkers to greet.
The heroes were there in their thousands.
The Life Savers, Carers and you.
Plus all those chaps giving statistics
That just put us more in a stew.
Oh dear the E.U.s in a temper.
Our vaccine plan’s well under way
So sorry to upset them further
BUT
My second jab’s due Saturday.
J.O.Y.
23 March 2021
How many long days since it started?
365 and more have gone by.
My nerves have been worn to a frazzle.
My hair it falls down to my eye.
At first it was shortage of foodstuffs
And no going out for a treat.
But then as the lockdown gripped firmer
Few passing dog walkers to greet.
The heroes were there in their thousands.
The Life Savers, Carers and you.
Plus all those chaps giving statistics
That just put us more in a stew.
Oh dear the E.U.s in a temper.
Our vaccine plan’s well under way
So sorry to upset them further
BUT
My second jab’s due Saturday.
J.O.Y.
23 March 2021
A legacy
Marjorie Davies, who died aged 92 on 7th April 2020 in Sussex, was a midwife originally from South Wales and based at Berkeley Hospital in the 1970s and 80s. She lived in Berkeley during that time and made many friends in the area, both through her work and other activities. On retirement she moved to Court Meadow in Stone, where her elderly mother came to live with her until the latter's death in 1993. Marjorie was very involved with community life and local heritage, taking immense pride in showing visitors round Berkeley Castle and Slimbridge and amongst other things was on the rota for cleaning the church brass at Stone. Her mother is buried in the churchyard at Stone and after her death Marjorie moved to Sussex in 1994 to be nearer her siblings, though made periodic visits to Gloucestershire to see friends while still able. It was Marjorie's wish to have her ashes interred in her mother's grave and her family hope to arrange a service for the interment in due course when circumstances permit.
She has left a legacy of £500 to the church at Stone."
She has left a legacy of £500 to the church at Stone."
Jean's Ditty for Christmas 2020
To be sung to the tune of a well known Christmas song
I was dreaming of a plague free Christmas;
And of traditional yuletide fare.
With the streets all lit up
No families split up
And old time carols in the air.
I was longing for an end to Tierdom
When every pub could ope’ its door.
Hogmanays first foot take
And pantos fun make
But alas they put us in Tier 4.
I was hoping for the wondrous vaccine..
My dates and times were set for sure.
But if dangers worsen
There’ll be one jab per person
And then a long, long wait for any more.
I’m looking out for clever, Wise Men,
Last time they came from far away.
Here bureaucracy and muddle
Have left us in a fuddle.
We need some better minds to save the day.
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE.
JEAN YOUNG
I was dreaming of a plague free Christmas;
And of traditional yuletide fare.
With the streets all lit up
No families split up
And old time carols in the air.
I was longing for an end to Tierdom
When every pub could ope’ its door.
Hogmanays first foot take
And pantos fun make
But alas they put us in Tier 4.
I was hoping for the wondrous vaccine..
My dates and times were set for sure.
But if dangers worsen
There’ll be one jab per person
And then a long, long wait for any more.
I’m looking out for clever, Wise Men,
Last time they came from far away.
Here bureaucracy and muddle
Have left us in a fuddle.
We need some better minds to save the day.
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE.
JEAN YOUNG
HELP! Volunteers are needed for grass cutting and church cleaning.
Our band of trusty helpers are getting old and struggling to keep going. Please phone Naomi if you can lend a hand: 01454 260376
Masks for summer 2020
31 homemade masks were sold, raising £155 for church funds.
The Porch Library, Summer 2020.
Despite our church door being locked for many weeks during the COVID-19 outbreak, the porch has seen more activity than ever before. At first people would look at the noticeboards for news of lock-down support and home deliveries, but then the porch evolved into a book, seed and jigsaw exchange. The two benches (conveniently nearby) provide the perfect spot to sit and read on a summers day. So when you next walk by the church, please browse and take something to read.
PLEASE NOTE: The porch library is now closed until Summer 2021.
Virus Lament (No.3)
(Tune “When this wicked war is over)
When this Covid 19’s over;
Oh how happy I shall be.
No more wearing of a face mask;
No more distancing for me.
I shall throw a great big party:
Friends and neighbours by the score.
“Rule of Six “ will be discarded.
We shall open wide the door.
Families all will get together.
W.I.s can have their meets.
Congregations sing in churches.
Students hold their Freshers’ Weeks.
When this virus war has ended
Oh how happy we’ll all be.
No more threats of fines and lockdowns,
No more GLOOMY B.B.C.
No more snitching on the neighbours,
No more politicians’ lie.
They will work together for us
And, what’s more their pigs might fly.
J.O.Y.
September 2020
When this Covid 19’s over;
Oh how happy I shall be.
No more wearing of a face mask;
No more distancing for me.
I shall throw a great big party:
Friends and neighbours by the score.
“Rule of Six “ will be discarded.
We shall open wide the door.
Families all will get together.
W.I.s can have their meets.
Congregations sing in churches.
Students hold their Freshers’ Weeks.
When this virus war has ended
Oh how happy we’ll all be.
No more threats of fines and lockdowns,
No more GLOOMY B.B.C.
No more snitching on the neighbours,
No more politicians’ lie.
They will work together for us
And, what’s more their pigs might fly.
J.O.Y.
September 2020
New Seats in the graveyard
Our churchyard has always been a popular place to walk through, and now we can also enjoy taking a rest. The two lovely benches are big enough for two people to have a conversation while being 'socially distanced'.
Thank you to:
Karen for donating the seats to the community
Alli for renovating them
Jeremy for embedding/securing them into the ground
Heather for the decorative bunting!
Virus Ditty (No.2)
To be sung to a tune of your choice in 3/4 time
Chorus:
I’d like to climb up to the mountains.
I’d like to go down to the sea.
But I must not roam,
I am safer at home.
Corona is gunning for me.
The lay by is empty this morning.
No holiday traffic to fight.
If you choose to travel
It could all unravel.
Two coppers have hove into sight.
I’d like to go out for some goodies’
Like chocolate and booze by the crate.
But apples in bowl are
They won’t wreck your molar
Nor risk putting on lots of weight.
We ought to be grateful to Heaven.
The sun has been shining all day.
We’ve plenty to eat.
We are yet on our feet
But the challenge is still underway.
J.O.Y
14.04. 2020
Chorus:
I’d like to climb up to the mountains.
I’d like to go down to the sea.
But I must not roam,
I am safer at home.
Corona is gunning for me.
The lay by is empty this morning.
No holiday traffic to fight.
If you choose to travel
It could all unravel.
Two coppers have hove into sight.
I’d like to go out for some goodies’
Like chocolate and booze by the crate.
But apples in bowl are
They won’t wreck your molar
Nor risk putting on lots of weight.
We ought to be grateful to Heaven.
The sun has been shining all day.
We’ve plenty to eat.
We are yet on our feet
But the challenge is still underway.
J.O.Y
14.04. 2020
Virus Lament
(Best sung to the tune of 'The Battle Hymn of the Republic')
The plagues of ancient Egypt, they were known to men of yore.
But now coronavirus comes a-knocking at OUR DOOR.
It doesn’t care how old you are, how rich, of what renown.
It means to break you down..
Chorus:
Corona virus how we hate you
We are trying hard to slate you.
Floods and tears and BREXIT fears have left us in a stew.
Hold on! We will pull through.
The queues for food are very long. There’s not much left for me.
One soggy pack of who knows what is all that I can see.
But never mind. My cupboard holds old tins of mystery.
I shall not starve a while.
We’re told that we must stay at home to stop infection spread.
The tele fails to cheer me and my books I have all read.
I might get out my keyboard or just spend the day in bed.
It can’t get at me there.
Jean Young
The plagues of ancient Egypt, they were known to men of yore.
But now coronavirus comes a-knocking at OUR DOOR.
It doesn’t care how old you are, how rich, of what renown.
It means to break you down..
Chorus:
Corona virus how we hate you
We are trying hard to slate you.
Floods and tears and BREXIT fears have left us in a stew.
Hold on! We will pull through.
The queues for food are very long. There’s not much left for me.
One soggy pack of who knows what is all that I can see.
But never mind. My cupboard holds old tins of mystery.
I shall not starve a while.
We’re told that we must stay at home to stop infection spread.
The tele fails to cheer me and my books I have all read.
I might get out my keyboard or just spend the day in bed.
It can’t get at me there.
Jean Young
From The Stalkingham News, November 2019...
Community Spirit
Our beautiful Grade 2* listed church of All Saints has been a unique feature in the village for nigh on eight hundred years. It is a significant landmark for miles around, looking lovely for us locals and catching the attention of motorists and ramblers passing through the village. You don’t have to be a regular churchgoer to care about the place, and most people are grateful to those who volunteer time and effort to maintain the church and surrounding land. The tower’s clock is a useful and handsome feature. Each week a volunteer clambers into the cramped space beneath the bells to wind the mechanism to keep it ticking bang on time.
The church is used for services on Sundays and for baptisms, weddings and funerals. The school, who don’t have a school hall, enjoy the space it offers for occasional assemblies and end of term services. While it stays empty it remains unlocked during daylight hours for those needing a quiet and beautiful space for prayer and contemplation. Anyone is welcome to step inside to soak up the calming atmosphere and take time to reflect. Every morning a volunteer goes over to unlock the church door, every evening someone locks up.
Volunteers keep the building clean and beautiful: they sweep the stone floor, polish the wooden pews, clean the carpets, polish the brasses and make sure there are flowers near the altar. Most of these people have been volunteering for twenty years or more.
You may have noticed the flagpole positioned near the front gate. It was previously near the church porch, leaning at an unsightly angle, rusty and an eyesore. Now it stands straight and looking as good as new since it was sanded down and repainted by two volunteers.
Surrounding the church sprawls the large graveyard, which our trusty band of helpers are now struggling to maintain. Think of an average domestic lawn, then multiply that by at least 40! They need more helpers desperately! Our churchyard is for everyone, not just those who go to church services, but it won’t look after itself. If I have managed to tug at a few heart strings and you have some spare time and muscle power, please get in touch with Jeremy (01454/260376) or Paul (01454/260277).
So finally, here’s a huge THANK YOU to all those kind people who give up their time to lend a hand, for without them All Saints’ Church, Stone with Woodford, would close. The building and surrounding graveyard are a community asset that most of us treasure, so let’s try and keep it going for future generations to cherish too. Please get in touch if you’d like to lend a hand, inside or outside. We’d love to hear from you.
The church is used for services on Sundays and for baptisms, weddings and funerals. The school, who don’t have a school hall, enjoy the space it offers for occasional assemblies and end of term services. While it stays empty it remains unlocked during daylight hours for those needing a quiet and beautiful space for prayer and contemplation. Anyone is welcome to step inside to soak up the calming atmosphere and take time to reflect. Every morning a volunteer goes over to unlock the church door, every evening someone locks up.
Volunteers keep the building clean and beautiful: they sweep the stone floor, polish the wooden pews, clean the carpets, polish the brasses and make sure there are flowers near the altar. Most of these people have been volunteering for twenty years or more.
You may have noticed the flagpole positioned near the front gate. It was previously near the church porch, leaning at an unsightly angle, rusty and an eyesore. Now it stands straight and looking as good as new since it was sanded down and repainted by two volunteers.
Surrounding the church sprawls the large graveyard, which our trusty band of helpers are now struggling to maintain. Think of an average domestic lawn, then multiply that by at least 40! They need more helpers desperately! Our churchyard is for everyone, not just those who go to church services, but it won’t look after itself. If I have managed to tug at a few heart strings and you have some spare time and muscle power, please get in touch with Jeremy (01454/260376) or Paul (01454/260277).
So finally, here’s a huge THANK YOU to all those kind people who give up their time to lend a hand, for without them All Saints’ Church, Stone with Woodford, would close. The building and surrounding graveyard are a community asset that most of us treasure, so let’s try and keep it going for future generations to cherish too. Please get in touch if you’d like to lend a hand, inside or outside. We’d love to hear from you.