tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80316134494543052122023-11-16T06:15:17.487+00:00Rural Church and Community MattersGlyn Evans,
Rural Officer,
Diocese of OxfordGlyn Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104502943236842461noreply@blogger.comBlogger294125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031613449454305212.post-71967976707362474372014-02-06T14:45:00.001+00:002014-02-06T17:59:52.419+00:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">BRIGHTWALTON
AND LECKHAMPSTEAD PLOUGH WEDNESDAY<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Olivia Hall Craggs</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This brainwave has introduced clergy to farms in the
Oxford Diocese, for the last 9 years.
2014 it was our turn to host the
event. We had chosen to visit Saddleback
Farm Shop, watch some expert butchering, and see the cattle sheds in
Brightwalton, before going up to Chapel Farm at Leckhampstead’s Hill Green.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">A warmish grey day in January, at least it wasn’t
raining, but we needed our boots!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Saddleback Farm shop, is on the B4494 6 miles south of
Wantage. It was created by Clare
Whidborne who began by introducing David Pill,
her husband; Mum who does the
accounts and looks after little Nell;
Dad, Richard, is concerned with the farm’s arable and her brother
Daniel, who is responsible for rearing the beef sold in the shop. Saddleback is a family-orientated shop and
Clare acknowledged huge support from her own family - <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Manor Farm has 1,200 acres, and the Whidbornes are
third generation farmers . Grandpa
originally took on the tenancy of the farm in Brightwalton and bought it in the
1950’s. Richard farms 1,000 acres as
arable, there is 100 acres of grass for the cattle and 100 acres of woodland
for rearing birds for the commercial shoot - all very productive. Wanting to be a producer herself, Clare
couldn’t see herself on a tractor day in day out. She would have to do her own thing. She went Harper Adams College and studied
agriculture, food and business from 2001 – 2005. She learnt about the supply chain of beef and
the production of grain – good stead for managing the shop. After University, she worked as a trainee
manager with the Royal Farms at Windsor, concerned with people and financial
management. She was accountable for
everything for 3 ½ years. She went in as
a shy girl but gained confidence and clear vision. Dad was adamant Clare should know what she
wanted - did she want to work seven days a week? It would be easier to work for someone else –
she needed more experience, Windsor had been great, but unrealistically
connected to what she could achieve
financially. So for another 3 years she
worked at Q Gardens farm shop, south of
Oxford.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Whilst she was at Q Gardens she sought planning
permission to convert the barns at
“California” on the B4494. It
took years to get permission - the Highways Department were obstructive, even
citing increased traffic as a problem.
She needed financial help for the start up. The maximum Defra grant was £50,000, which Saddleback obtained, the last such
grant; They were lucky! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">They were all ready to start building in November
2011, when Clare fell pregnant. Now
Nell is 20 months, the shop has been open since September 2012 and is going
from strength to strength. Clare & Dave have got to grips with running a
business, embraced parenthood and were married in December - what a crazy
year! They are looking forward to 2014
being more civilised. Trading through
two Christmases and one summer has given great experience. They started with 6 employees, and now have
12; it is a very positive business with
a turn over that increases.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Tea room sales have increased 3 fold from last
December. They see what they do
themselves (beef, hampers, tea room) are their most successful areas.
They breed their own beef, and control
their nutrition, injections etc. which is good for the quality. Husband David slaughters the venison to sell
in the shop. Deer, although wild, need a
certain amount of management.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The wheat and
flour are local. Dave, whose own farm is
7 miles north, sells corn to Wessex Mill in Wantage, Saddleback’s baker uses the Mill’s flour. Everything is local - pies, pasties, sausage rolls, ready meals –
100 % trust passed on to the customers.
The tea room’s original few tables have multiplied, big tables have been
added so a family can sit down and eat
breakfast together. “We aim to sell,
honest, nicely-presented food at a realistic price. We are a showcase for local producers of
seasonal food. Our prices are
competitive because we go straight to the growers, avoiding the supermarkets’
chain of handlers.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Planners granted permission with 20 conditions in
regard to appearance and stock. They
demanded that 70 % of what is sold in the shop be produced by the
Whidbornes. But Saddleback wants to
showcase other small businesses. Local
supplier Susie Kensett has perfected her chutney-making, why should Clare
compete? Luckily the Council came round
to Clare’s logic. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">January and February are the quiet months; thinking you can sit back and wait for the
folk to come just isn’t good enough, so they run courses at the shop, aiming to
educate their customers to the Saddleback ethos. They’ve run a Bread Day, offering breakfast,
lunch and a visit to the Mill, to see the wheat fields, and watch the baker demonstrate bread making. It is surprising what people don’t know and
what they take for granted. Her staff are enthusiastic and keen to maintain the
shop’s momentum. They are taking
bookings for Burns Night, they do
lunches for businesses, they have even prepared a lunch for Samantha Cameron
(in her own dish); they offer ready
meals and delivery to the elderly housebound.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Next we were invited over to the empty barn beside
Saddleback to see Alan Hayward butcher a deer.
It was displayed on a bench, headless and with half its skin peeled
back. Before his demonstration he had
someone help hang up the carcase – it took but an hour to reduce it all to
joints on the table. Alan has been a butcher for 52 years and his
dextrous knife showed it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The Berkshire countryside is grossly over-populated
with deer, we see herds of 50 or more;
they may look lovely but they take the farmers’ crops and trees. Like all aspects of the food industry, game
is subject to new legislation, and is safe to eat. Each carcase must bear a label declaring the
name of the hunter, to show he shot it, he didn’t just pick it up from a
field. Refrigeration is essential. You can have meat high and strong, but
nowadays most game is eaten within days. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">There are 6 species of deer in the United Kingdom – in
Berkshire there are big herds of fallow.
There are Chinese water deer, escaped from Bedford; muntjac with devilish little horns and
teeth; Roe deer are majestic and best to
eat; Sika deer are found in Dorset and
Scotland; Red deer are the biggest –
they all taste different. The skins fetch a low price from the tanners in
Glasgow, they’ll be made into moccasin shoes or clothing. At least Alan doesn’t have to pay to get rid
of them (waste disposal is very expensive)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This fallow deer was shot the previous day by Dave
Pill at Hendred. Nowadays the hunter is
more precise, he aims for the head, not wishing to “blow out” the shoulders. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Yes the offal is used, but not when the deer is in
rut. Then they urinate on the ground,
and roll in it to alert the females they are in rut. The taste of urine can go right through the
meat.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: small;">Shoulder is always the roasting joint, mince has taken
over from stewing steak. Alan’s most
popular joint is saddle eye fillet, but he uses everything on the </span>carcase<span style="font-size: small;">. He found a lymph node, which he uses as a
secondary check on the animal’s health.
Super market venison is not wild.
Deer farming was very popular ten years ago, but it costs twice the
price of wild deer. It is guaranteed to
be tender but lacks flavour, and is little different from farmed animals. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Deer survive completely on their own, eating our
lovely crops. No deer are indigenous,
The Normans brought over the fallow deer, and red deer have survived in
Ireland, all other deer have been re-introduced or escaped from private
collections.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">As he sawed off the breast there was a neat joke
“muntjac taste of roses”. (We spent an
hour watching Alan reduce the carcase to useable pieces of meat, he is a real
showman and handled comments from the floor as he worked) Deer
dont suffer from foot and mouth, they are very resilient, get over most
things. But around Andover the ticks get
onto the deer from the bracken.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYr7hNMxTvZqq_YCdkNSt6dKdOsUXW34TwhWJwEXbmjEUJZvZpWY9zM0P-m9sZw2FmqnqDMgHLkiRrbboI0je_A19CPtNL0sSqpkHn6AbI6CtZ9QdDhnSosWdiL1Py6nsTvqAqhvX-TOlU/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYr7hNMxTvZqq_YCdkNSt6dKdOsUXW34TwhWJwEXbmjEUJZvZpWY9zM0P-m9sZw2FmqnqDMgHLkiRrbboI0je_A19CPtNL0sSqpkHn6AbI6CtZ9QdDhnSosWdiL1Py6nsTvqAqhvX-TOlU/s1600/photo+5.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The neck gives a lot of meat. When the deer are in rut all the meat moves
forward, as they don’t eat for several weeks they need all their muscle and fat
to get by. Alan processes 5,000 deer a
winter, The haunch was next, sawn into three joints. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Then a rack of venison to BBQ. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This deer weighed 50 kg. It could feed 250 people. The hunter is paid £3 per kilo off the field
=£150; carcase sold wholesale at £300,
butcher adds £150 = £450 in the shop. The hunter cuts its neck immediately in
the field, to ensure instant death and to
bleed it. Back at the shop he
removes the offal. The EU stipulates
that entrails are not to be left in the field (for the kites). They do need to be culled, we don’t need
hundreds of deer on the land.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">We played follow-my-leader in our cars from Saddleback
to the edge of Brightwalton to visit
Dan’s beef sheds. He had Brook, his
pure-bred Aberdeen Angus bull, penned for our admiration. He is a docile creature, responsible for all
these cows in the sheds around. But he is frightened by the vet’s needle!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The heifers and cows have to be big and strong to take
his weight. The cows are last year’s
calves, they need two years to be fattened thereafter. We were looking at some “fit to go” for slaughter. The carcase hangs for a month with Alan
Hayward at Casey’s Field Farm, Ashampstead..
Most of Daniel’s beef goes to Saddleback, they take one carcase a
week. Surplus goes to Marks &
Spencers or Morison who pay 40p premium on Anguses. Morisons are very supportive, but Tesco’s
have been the worst supermarket to deal with.
However the horse meat scandal has “tidied up” the situation for farmers,
and Tesco’s have improved.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Last year’s bull calves were castrated a week ago,
which will encourage their growth. But they are still keeping the heifers
separate. They keep the heifers to
fatten but cannot breed from them because they all were fathered by Brook. Sometimes they buy in replacement dams
privately or from the markets in Thame or Cirencester. They plan to keep Brook indefinitely. One of the visitors (who knew her cattle) had
noticed a British Blue, she is a heifer from a Dairy cross and will give good
milk for her calf. But British Blues are
thin-skinned, they can’t stay out in the winter, whereas the Aberdeens ‘find
our winters like their summer’!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Daniel is always worried about his bottom line. Cows might have a calf at foot and be
pregnant. Experimentally he has AI’d
some heifers, for instance the Blue roan was AI’d on the Royal wedding day,
(also Daniel’s birthday!). The semen was
frozen but since the bull had died, its price had increased. Heifers will make better beef animals,
sweeter meat. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The TB testing is yearly. the disease is not so
problematical in this area. They have to
test everything that goes off the farm.
Trace tests are carried out occasionally by Defra, who are a nightmare.
Two years ago Manor Farm changed vets but Defra continues to contact the
previous vet. Testing for TB guarantees
work, but Daniel’s vet is already busy -
they might contract out the testing. The
farmer can combine the TB test with other jobs and avoid the vet’s call-out charge. At the vet’s last visit Daniel had him check
the cows’ pregnancies, Brook had covered them all satisfactorily in 50 days. Yes, there are badgers on the farm. They are very territorial, if you cull one
with TB, another will move into his territory. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">We looked at the enormous red and green feeder wagon,
the calves are on growing rations with more protein. The cattle need more starch – they have grass
silage and rolled barley. The farm gets 3 cuts of silage a year. Daniel keeps the 40 cattle in-calf up at the
farm by his house so he can watch out for calves’ arrival. There was one dead in the gateway yesterday,
he doesn’t know why. Perhaps it was
ragwort in the feed, a post mortem would be too expensive. The carcase goes to the hunt (cheaper than
paying to dispose of it himself)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Giles, the Gamekeeper, doesn’t like the Hunt, so it doesn’t come over their
land. Yes Dan can take a holiday, go
ski-ing, the family would mind the cattle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">From the West Country came advice that berried holly
should be hung in the rafters of the shed to get rid of ringworm. Maybe it works, maybe the ringworm just goes
away. Daniel was asked to outline an
average day – he starts at 8 am, but he
doesn’t finish at 5. The don’t
have to milk, but alternate days they bed up (another smart new machine to blow
straw over the backs of the cattle).
When they are combine harvesting the days are longer. They also have a
baling business, buying in straw from
local farmers, to bale up and sell onto the West Country. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The Whidbornes started the beef herd to keep good
staff on through the winter. They employ
3 full-time men plus Daniel and Richard.
One person per 1,000 acres is the norm.
The lower roadside shed by the new fattening unit is nice and airy. Cattle are nosy creatures and they like to see the passing traffic, people
walking their dogs and the children.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">He does give farm tours, but not a lot “as you can
tell by my public speaking!!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">He is really pleased to hear customers’ enthusiasm
over Saddleback’s meat.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The risks are with TB, and the weather which affects
the quality of the silage. For instance
2012 was a bad summer, the grass was not so good in the field for the cows, and
the silage was poor. It takes 12 months
for the farm to recover from a bad year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Back into the cars, pit stop advised at Leckhanpstead
Hall for the loos. On to Chapel Farm at
Hill Green, Leckhampstead where in the huge barn Clare and Diana Whidborne
served us with a good, hot, sit-down lunch from Saddleback and we appreciated
the Walkers’ heater.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Ian Brown told us that in 1923 his grandfather had
walked, yes walked, the cows over to
Chapel Farm, from Mapledurham,near Reading after milking. But the herd had to go during the War and
Ian’s father Jim concentrated on arable and managed a nearby farm in
Peasemore. In 1966 Ian left school; Grandfather also died and Jim took over Chapel Farm - 300 acres arable and 2 full-time staff. After College Ian went into pigs, for 29
years; at peak production they were sending 9.5 thousand pigs per year to Sainsbury. But the market for pigs went down and the
last one went in 2001. The vet couldn’t
visit Chapel Farm lest Foot & Mouth was transferred between the pigs and the animal feed stuffs
Ian was also producing. The vet told Ian “I am not going to allow you to
continue to keep pigs” . <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">A friend with a farm shop near Stroud asked for some
rabbit feed, Ian and Mary Anne made up the order on the kitchen table. They produced bird seed on the farm and Farmer Brown’s Products was born. Checking prices on the bird seed in a local
garden centre, Ian nearly got thrown out by the manager. But they had just sacked their supplier, so
Ian began to supply their 10 shops.
After various buy outs of garden centres and agricultural suppliers
during 15 years, Ian’s turn-over peaked at more than £1m. Scats chucked him out, Farmer Brown’s bird seed market was
halved. They must diversify again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">In 1995 Ian and Mary Anne had come to Chapel Farm,
when Jim moved out. After an aborted
sale of Field House in Leckhampstead, they sold the house to an American. He introduced Ian to Bacteria for
Agriculture, Ian is not a marketing expert, he prefers to produce things. But his son James specialises in Micro
Biology and took up the American’s product.
Ian could not tell us of James’ procedures, as he talks too much!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">James has bacteria for compost production, which
reduces smells and saves time. He takes
green waste from 7 boroughs in London – grass, shrubs from parks, household
food waste – which is double composted to kill off the pathogens.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJOV1l4L9U876XG-dkGDHgIMaqmvBZyztnJnjP9Q6qRKcgKOxrWDfr7t7fHachVd9jtfz31L2qBfh83lPa2V5qK1VWiL9O67wJNwF3IAwwcEtE0qhj-srFEkbETRhQ2ZBzFBtcwKhFsgy/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJOV1l4L9U876XG-dkGDHgIMaqmvBZyztnJnjP9Q6qRKcgKOxrWDfr7t7fHachVd9jtfz31L2qBfh83lPa2V5qK1VWiL9O67wJNwF3IAwwcEtE0qhj-srFEkbETRhQ2ZBzFBtcwKhFsgy/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">James produces bacteria for waste water. They have conducted trials in the loos of a
company they supply – no smells! The
bacteria go down, but the nasties are digested.
These trials have given Ian much confidence.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Other bacteria are used for waterless urinals,
obviating flushing. This saves an
amazing 100,000 litres of water per urinal per annum. The production is similar to a brewing
process; the bacteria is alive and must
be handled with care. There is a
contract to supply all the terminals at Heathrow; and another national company is in
negotiation with James.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Different bacteria
fix nitrogen from the atmosphere into the soil under the name
“Enfixa”. In 2012 10,000 acres-worth of
“Enfixa” was sold, in 2013 40,000 acres-worth was sold. If this continues for 5 years Ian will feel
confident in its future.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">No, they won’t be patenting it, as that tells everyone
else how to do it. How to keep a
secret? don’t even tell Dad!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The Browns know that their 300 acres plus 280 acres
rented do not make a viable farm. They
are always at the mercy of the variable weather and the fluctuations of the
financial market. If one enterprise goes
down, hopefully another will be up. Ian
enjoys his life as a farmer but he stressed he needs his Christian faith to
achieve it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Our last stop was St James’ Leckhampstead for Evensong
when the Bishop of Reading, Andrew Proud, shared his enthusiasm. For him, an admitted Urbanite, it had been a
“day well spent” – not in his car, not in his office nor at meetings. Today he had seen glimpses of the Downs from
the farm shop and from Ian’s barn. How
often do we stop to appreciate God’s gift of the world and its Beauty? At random he remembered some phrases from
the day – <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">You are going
to see the Best of the British Countryside (John Townend) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Deer, amazing
creatures – I love ‘em! (Alan Hayward)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">You have to
bounce back (Ian Brown)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Bishop Andrew had been fascinated by the human stories
outlined in the context of God’s creation; by the long-term husbandry (those
frozen semen) the ingenuity, the hard work, effort and momentum
(Saddleback). He admired the rural hub
created by the shop, with wheat from surrounding fields milled in Wantage, the
deer locally grown and butchered – reminding us of our food’s provenance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">It was gratifying to hear he had been thrilled with
the day!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12.0pt;">When our visitors had all gone we heard that the
venison, cut up in front of us, had all been sold!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Glyn Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104502943236842461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031613449454305212.post-17747173388736842822013-12-31T17:40:00.001+00:002013-12-31T17:40:22.644+00:00<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A Resource for Plough Sunday 2014!</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">SELF HELP AFRICA</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Self Help Africa works with rural
farming communities in sub-Saharan Africa, seeking to empower them to improve
their yields and feed their families.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They have created a resource for Plough Sunday/Monday which includes
liturgy, hymn choices, intercessions and Bible readings. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is available from<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.selfhelpafrica.org/uk/fundraise/churches">http://www.selfhelpafrica.org/uk/fundraise/churches</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Contact information for Self Help Africa:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Self Help Africa, Westgate House, Dickens Court, Hills Lane, Shrewsbury, SY1 1QU.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">w: <a href="http://selfhelpafrica.org/" target="_blank">selfhelpafrica.org</a></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> f: <a href="http://facebook.com/SelfHelpAfrica" target="_blank">facebook.com/SelfHelpAfrica</a></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 9pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> t: <a href="http://twitter.com/SelfHelpAfrica" target="_blank">twitter.com/SelfHelpAfrica</a></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Glyn Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104502943236842461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031613449454305212.post-62177131951300018912013-11-01T10:42:00.003+00:002013-11-01T10:42:37.874+00:00<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">CHURCHES TOGETHER IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">ECUMENICAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICER<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Are you passionate about working alongside Christians
from other traditions?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Are you a self starter with organisational skills?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">£10,000 for 15 hours a week<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Apply by 20 December 2013<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Full details</b><b>:
www.cte.org.uk/bucksjob<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'>
<b
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
line-height:107%'>CHURCHES TOGETHER IN BUCKINGHAMSHIRE<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'>
<b
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'>
<b
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
line-height:107%'>ECUMENICAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICER<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=Body1 align=center style='text-align:center'>
<span
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:107%'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=Body1 align=center style='text-align:center'>
<span
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:107%'>Are you passionate about working
alongside Christians from other traditions?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=Body1 align=center style='text-align:center'>
<span
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:107%'>Are you a self starter with
organisational skills?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=Body1 align=center style='text-align:center'>
<span
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:107%'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=Body1 align=center style='text-align:center'>
<span
style='font-size:10.0pt;line-height:107%'>£10,000 for 15 hours a week<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'>
<span
style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'>
<span
style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'>Apply by 20 December 2013<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'>
<span
style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'>
<b
style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%;mso-bidi-font-style:italic'>Full
details</span></b><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;line-height:107%'>:
www.cte.org.uk/bucksjob<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>
<o:p> </o:p></p>
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Glyn Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104502943236842461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031613449454305212.post-56715495129956487052013-10-29T10:30:00.002+00:002013-10-29T10:30:40.341+00:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Wycombe
Sharing of Faiths</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
and <b>Wycombe Library</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">present two <b><i>HUMAN LIBRARY</i></b> events: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Dates:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Sundays
10 and 17 November<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Timing:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> 12noon
till 4.00pm<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Venue:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Wycombe
Library, 5 Eden Place, High Wycombe HP11 2DH<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We
invite you to come to come along </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">–</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> it</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">’</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">s
free and no booking is necessary - </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">children from age 10 can enjoy the event and get value from it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #262626; font-size: 12pt;">We find it</span><span style="color: #262626; font-size: 12pt;">’</span><span style="color: #262626; font-size: 12pt;">s quite difficult to
get the idea across in a few words. We</span><span style="color: #262626; font-size: 12pt;">’</span><span style="color: #262626; font-size: 12pt;">re not inviting you to come and get your nose stuck in a book </span><span style="color: #262626; font-size: 12pt;">–</span><span style="color: #262626; font-size: 12pt;"> we want you to come and have a
one-to-one conversation (up to 30 minutes) with our human </span><span style="color: #262626; font-size: 12pt;">‘</span><span style="color: #262626; font-size: 12pt;">books</span><span style="color: #262626; font-size: 12pt;">’</span><span style="color: #262626; font-size: 12pt;">. They</span><span style="color: #262626; font-size: 12pt;">’</span><span style="color: #262626; font-size: 12pt;">re people you might not normally
have a chance to meet. Talk to them - ask questions - find out about their
roles - they will help you enter the world of their life-experience. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #262626; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #262626; font-size: 12pt;">We know that almost everyone who has attended over the past 4
years is enthusiastic about Human Library; here are some past favourite titles:
<i>Islamic calligrapher; portrait painter; Police; manic depressive; </i></span><i><span style="color: #262626; font-size: 12pt;">‘</span></i><i><span style="color: #262626; font-size: 12pt;">green</span></i><i><span style="color: #262626; font-size: 12pt;">’</span></i><i><span style="color: #262626; font-size: 12pt;"> issues; Army;
British Muslim; heavy metal; political refugee; lawyer; rugby cap; woman vicar;
a Lord; a person with a hearing dog</span></i><span style="color: #262626; font-size: 12pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #262626; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope you will come on one of the Sundays to have a good read!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #262626; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Also - if you are interested to take part as a book title,
either this time round or in the future,</span></span><span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <a href="mailto:annebowker@thamesinternet.com" target="_blank">email</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMnFltZsVfXK77qkixSNw0_4YIYLaMf8aBR-OZ7WUHH8ZfE6kvL9lEbC65UUmZakWG8SyIc_8B1TFaPWMFDz-xDM2bXWkVV5aRuWLq6bnzCQPAvyVk73QbrzuvRbiDWxlFGV8qltg6cA4U/s1600/HL+Library+poster+Edition+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMnFltZsVfXK77qkixSNw0_4YIYLaMf8aBR-OZ7WUHH8ZfE6kvL9lEbC65UUmZakWG8SyIc_8B1TFaPWMFDz-xDM2bXWkVV5aRuWLq6bnzCQPAvyVk73QbrzuvRbiDWxlFGV8qltg6cA4U/s640/HL+Library+poster+Edition+3.jpg" width="452" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #262626; font-family: "Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
Glyn Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104502943236842461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031613449454305212.post-69113905859884537312013-10-22T11:25:00.002+01:002013-10-22T11:25:17.730+01:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>PLOUGH WEDNESDAY 2014</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An annual opportunity in the diocese of Oxford to be up to date with what is happening in agriculture and rural issues.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>JANUARY 15th 2014</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">at Brightwalton and Leckhampstead West Berkshire</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A visit to the Saddleback farm shop on California Farm to meet producers, suppliers and sellers followed by a visit to a Chapel Farm, diversifying into producing Bacteria and Bird Seed!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For more details and to book your place contact the <a href="mailto:glynevans@gmail.com" target="_blank">Diocesan Rural Officer </a></span></div>
Glyn Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104502943236842461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031613449454305212.post-84216336882101006382013-10-21T13:36:00.000+01:002013-10-21T13:36:44.944+01:00<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">NEWS
FROM THE FARMING COMMUNITY NETWORK<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">POVERTY IS THE MAIN
SOURCE OF FCN’S CASES<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An
examination of FCN’s cases over the twelve months to March 2013 shows that
financial difficulty and poverty are the main causes of calls for support. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is
becoming clear that the appalling weather during 2012 and the Spring of 2013
has left many farms facing an unprecedented level of debt which, in may cases,
is simply unsustainable.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“With
rising numbers of farming families experiencing financial difficulties and facing
the effects of prolonged stress and physical and mental exhaustion, FCN has
been of great comfort to many hundreds of farming families” explained FCN’s
Chief Executive, Charles W. Smith, at the charity’s Annual General Meeting. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By forging
closer links with the DEFRA bovine TB Unit and Animal Health, FCN volunteers
have been able to offer significant benefits in terms of service. Sadly,
concerns over bovine TB continue to be on the increase with calls to the
Helpline on this topic increasing at an alarming rate from both within and
outside the endemic areas.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There has
been a dramatic reduction in the volume of casework centred on the Single
Payment Scheme; this is the result of significant improvement in the work of
the Rural Payments Agency which administers the scheme.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During the
year ended March 2013, FCN volunteers have been involved in almost 2,500 cases
which, it is estimated, involve around 6,000 individuals.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; text-align: right;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some 44% of
all calls for support came via the Helpline with the remainder being referred
directly to local FCN groups, often through local organisations.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In April of
this year the number of calls to the Helpline increased five fold as a direct
result of the prolonged, freezing Spring.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One third
of the cases handled by FCN concerns individuals below the age of 45 and one in
ten of all cases involves someone between 16 and 25.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Prior to its Annual General Meeting, FCN held its first national
Harvest Festival Service.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">With a
congregation of more than 60 people – including the Bishop of Peterborough and
the High Sheriff of Northamptonshire, Mr. James Shepherd-Cross, the address was
given by </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">Lord Curry
of Kirkharle.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">He made
plain that, in the face of an increasing population; “We must ensure that we do
all we can to produce food making the best use of resources at our disposal.” </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">He went on
to say that the compassionate and encouraging support provided by FCN
volunteers was much appreciated by the farming community.</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Statistics covering the work of FCN can be found at<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.fcn.org.uk/about-fcn/funding-breakdown">http://www.fcn.org.uk/about-fcn/funding-breakdown</a><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Click on Report and Accounts.</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
Glyn Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104502943236842461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031613449454305212.post-75353220850524545952013-08-12T19:50:00.000+01:002013-08-12T19:50:24.499+01:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVm5MODEXpxqDQ_dCS2xpFqS8CSYab48Y3_hUSrqzzE_8mlMbsvCocO7yt8q10kVyPYFshJ0_lU57RNI5RrzCrKTrWneDzBuAjag_CxWrIERPfgj6hkmnNSjeMx5Gxf8SiRHGk0IqdRpSw/s1600/Padbury+market+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVm5MODEXpxqDQ_dCS2xpFqS8CSYab48Y3_hUSrqzzE_8mlMbsvCocO7yt8q10kVyPYFshJ0_lU57RNI5RrzCrKTrWneDzBuAjag_CxWrIERPfgj6hkmnNSjeMx5Gxf8SiRHGk0IqdRpSw/s200/Padbury+market+1.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLA7rCC81nL34A2xLpD_q2tv4uRCiAihC7CDDlRHZ_0q9AOJU1hiEZGC3AXm4MZusmoE9U3tWidbcVC7g6tc0WzoM1hnKSfKBC7Rf0XqrBxeCO6S3On9m_4xpQZyeDiX2WywAaLLgeM-5/s1600/padbury+market+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLA7rCC81nL34A2xLpD_q2tv4uRCiAihC7CDDlRHZ_0q9AOJU1hiEZGC3AXm4MZusmoE9U3tWidbcVC7g6tc0WzoM1hnKSfKBC7Rf0XqrBxeCO6S3On9m_4xpQZyeDiX2WywAaLLgeM-5/s200/padbury+market+3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoEcWtChi9bqXmejrx_QXzzkjpI6FR37C8QPHOSTIPC7jTRQXQH9lgAMe2eQu3_F3s8rpAQxqWatqg0UEuH7ySkHRZEljKgj4Epc6Fh0lXhp4XE4H788nAw5Gb6dJHYrl8nzEz8amgWfW/s1600/Padbury++market+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoEcWtChi9bqXmejrx_QXzzkjpI6FR37C8QPHOSTIPC7jTRQXQH9lgAMe2eQu3_F3s8rpAQxqWatqg0UEuH7ySkHRZEljKgj4Epc6Fh0lXhp4XE4H788nAw5Gb6dJHYrl8nzEz8amgWfW/s200/Padbury++market+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Berlin Sans FB', sans-serif; font-size: 48pt;">Padbury Market</span></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Berlin Sans FB","sans-serif"; font-size: 48.0pt;">Food Festival & Crafts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB","sans-serif"; font-size: 36.0pt;">14th September 2013<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB","sans-serif"; font-size: 36.0pt;">10am-1.00pm<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB","sans-serif"; font-size: 36.0pt;">St Mary’s Church, Padbury</span><span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Berlin Sans FB","sans-serif"; font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: David;">A food extravaganza bringing together a wide selection of
local food & produce for sale and tasting and locally made giftware<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB","sans-serif"; font-size: 24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: David;">A meeting & sharing
opportunity in your community</span><span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB","sans-serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">Come & Support Padbury’s very
own<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB","sans-serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;"> local
market;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB","sans-serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;"> helping
to support our local community,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB","sans-serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;"> the
environment & people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB","sans-serif"; font-size: 24.0pt;">Delicious Refreshments<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB","sans-serif"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: David;">Entertainment for all the family<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB","sans-serif"; font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Plus BBQ, & Pimms</span></div>
<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt;">For more details Contact</span><span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Lenborough Benefice office<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt;">01280 813162 </span><a href="mailto:Lenborough.vicar@gmail.com"><span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt;">lenborough.vicar@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Berlin Sans FB","sans-serif"; font-size: 20.0pt;">follow us on Facebook
www.facebook/padburymarket<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Glyn Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104502943236842461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031613449454305212.post-5816448880042761952013-05-23T16:52:00.001+01:002013-05-23T16:52:34.599+01:00<h2 class="itemTitle" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #f8f7f2; border: 0px currentColor; color: #474747; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 1.5em/24px "Trebuchet MS", "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", "Lucida Sans", Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How Best to Use Messy Church in Rural Areas</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Resources to help you at:</span><a href="http://www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk/library-of-good-practice/item/9108-how-best-to-use-messy-church-in-rural-areas/"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk/library-of-good-practice/item/9108-how-best-to-use-messy-church-in-rural-areas/</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #f8f7f2; color: #444444; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: bold 13px/23.79px "Trebuchet MS", "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", "Lucida Sans", Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">This helpful resource has been produced by Lucy Moore, the national Messy Church Team Leader, with assistance from some of her colleagues. Lucy has been the instigator of Messy Church from the very start – as represented by the publication of the very first Messy Church resource –<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #f8f7f2; border: 0px currentColor; color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", "Lucida Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 23.79px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Messy Church: fresh ideas for building a Christ-centred community</i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #f8f7f2; color: #444444; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: bold 13px/23.79px "Trebuchet MS", "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", "Lucida Sans", Arial, sans-serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>– in 2006.</span></span></div>
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</div>
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<img alt="MC_-_logo" src="http://www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk/images/stories/resources/howbesttouse/MC_-_logo.jpg" /></div>
Glyn Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104502943236842461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031613449454305212.post-10137030896641445612013-05-17T09:38:00.000+01:002013-05-17T09:38:46.880+01:00<br />
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<b style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Bebas Neue"; font-size: 36.0pt; line-height: 150%;">IT</span></b><b style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Bebas Neue"; font-size: 36.0pt; line-height: 150%;"> <span style="color: #e46c0a;">ALL</span> <span style="color: #ffc000;">STARTS</span> <span style="color: magenta;">AT</span> <span style="color: #00b0f0;">YES!</span></span></b><span style="font-family: 'Bebas Neue'; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #00b050;">You’re
eligible for a place onto the National Citizen Service programme</span></b> <b><span style="color: #00b050;">this summer.</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span lang="EN-US">National Citizen Service</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> gives
you the chance to take on new <b>challenges</b>, learn <b>new skills</b> and <b>make
a difference</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s about excitement and adventure, fun and
friendship, and feeling like you can shape your own future. You can add skills
to your CV, build up UCAS points and improve your chances of going to
university, college or getting a job.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And you can do it all while you make new friends
and have fun.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you are 16 or 17, no matter what your background
or abilities, you can take part! And everyone on NCS gets their say in what
they do and how they do it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Visit </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1f497d;"><a href="http://www.ncsyes.co.uk/">http://www.ncsyes.co.uk/</a> </span><span lang="EN-US">then complete the sign-up form <b>OR</b>
call </span>the Oxfordshire Association for Young People, who are delivering
the programme in Oxfordshire on <b>01865 767899</b><span style="color: #1f497d;"> </span>and the NCS Network team will take your
application over the phone in minutes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can access the entire four week programme for our
special offer price of <span style="color: red;">only £35 if you
sign up and pay before the end of May!</span> (Usual price £50)</span></div>
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Glyn Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104502943236842461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031613449454305212.post-2783398057977603942013-05-14T20:51:00.000+01:002013-05-14T20:53:03.916+01:00<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>News
from the </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Oxfordshire </b></span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Woodfuel Programme</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.oxonwoodfuel.org.uk/"><span style="font-size: large;">www.oxonwoodfuel.org.uk/</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">OWP has places left on two woodfuel visits: <span style="color: #3e0600;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Sat 1 June 10 am – 4 pm</i><b> </b> A unique opportunity to see MOD Bicester Garrison's woodland, try wild rabbit, and take home as much
firewood as you can fit in your car.
£30. Contact Gary Beckett at <span style="color: #3e0600;"><a href="mailto:gbeckett_13@btopenworld.com">gbeckett_13@btopenworld.com</a></span>, 07810 756110 .<span style="color: #3e0600;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Sat 8 June 9:40 am – 3:40pm</i><b> </b>Thrupp Wood near Kidlington, Sustainable Kirtlington's woodfuel
production, and Manor House Stoves.
Starts/ends at Water Eaton P&R.
£25. Contact <span style="color: #3e0600;"><a href="mailto:Fiona.Danks@oxonrcc.org.uk">Fiona.Danks@oxonrcc.org.uk</a></span> , 01865 883488.<span style="color: #3e0600;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The woodfuel programme has received several
offers of unseasoned logs at a good price.
It is mostly willow and would require cutting into lengths and storing
under cover for at least one summer.
Contact <span style="color: #3e0600;"><a href="mailto:manager@oxonwoodfuel.org.uk">manager@oxonwoodfuel.org.uk</a></span>.<span style="color: #3e0600;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you have a woodland that could use some help,
or are happy to work in a woodland in return for logs, please see <span style="color: #3e0600;"><a href="http://www.oxonwoodfuel.org.uk/logs-for-labour">www.oxonwoodfuel.org.uk/logs-for-labour</a></span>.</span><span style="color: #3e0600;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Glyn Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104502943236842461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031613449454305212.post-15586290753096444122013-05-10T17:05:00.002+01:002013-05-10T17:05:15.093+01:00<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Want to fight hunger?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">To make connections between faith & food?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Come to<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 37.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">An evening introducing<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-no-proof: yes;">Including:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><b style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-no-proof: yes;">An introduction to the <i>Enough Food
for Everyone IF</i> campaign. The speaker will be Jennifer Bennett, Churches
Campaigns Officer, Christian Aid</span></b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">. With time for
Questions and Answers</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"> </span> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">An introduction to the Food
Matters project, with time for Questions and Answers</span><br /><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">Opportunities to make Enough IF materials to take back
to your church or down to London on the 8<sup>th</sup> of June</span><br /><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">News about what’s coming up in
Enough Food IF and Food Matters, and opportunities to discuss how your church
and other churches might get involved.</span><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-no-proof: yes;">
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<span style="font-family: "Gotham Bold";">Fairtrade Refreshments provided.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Gotham Bold";">For information /to register, email <a href="mailto:sjohnson@christianaid.org">sjohnson@christianaid.org</a> or ring 01865
246818.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Gotham Bold";">Organised by Christian Aid, CCOW, Diocese of
Oxford, Tearfund<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Glyn Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104502943236842461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031613449454305212.post-23685416547350410362013-04-25T14:56:00.001+01:002013-04-25T14:56:08.314+01:00<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">New
Guide to Training for Lay People in Rural Churches<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">from The Arthur Rank Centre</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The latest
resource for rural churches has just gone live on the Arthur Rank Centre
website at <a href="http://www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk/publications-and-resources/local-training-for-lay-people">http://www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk/publications-and-resources/local-training-for-lay-people</a>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Members
of rural churches play an essential part in the life of their communities. It
is through the actions and initiatives of rural congregations that mission and
ministry takes place in the countryside. Providing training to enable lay
people to fulfil these roles and tasks is a vital part of the work of the
modern rural church. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This
new resource provides examples of how lay people in rural churches have been trained
and enabled for mission and ministry in their own local area. It also
contains guidance on the best approaches to providing training for rural
congregations. It contains:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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resources that can be easily used <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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on how to deliver training effectively <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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evaluation of existing resources for their usefulness to rural congregations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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It is a unique tool to
enhance and enable the mission and ministry of rural church members.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>“The
examples included here are just what hard-pressed rural congregations need;
easy to use, simple to deliver and tailored for the unique circumstances of
many rural churches. They are a real encouragement for rural churches to
develop and equip their own lay people for service and mission</i>” said Canon Dr <st1:personname w:st="on">Jill Hopkinson</st1:personname>, National Rural Officer for the
Church of England. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>“The
release of lay skills is absolutely crucial to rural mission and ministry. The
Arthur Rank Centre is committed to being at the cutting edge of encouraging,
supporting and helping train lay church members. These new resources are
important step forward” </i>said
Jerry Marshall, CE0, Arthur Rank Centre.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The
material adds to the large library of on-line resources for rural churches at <a href="http://www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk/">www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk</a>,
ranging from worship material to evangelism training to community audits.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For more information please contact:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jerry Marshall, 024 7685 3063 <a href="mailto:jerrym@arthurrankcentre.org.uk">jerrym@arthurrankcentre.org.uk</a>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Website: <a href="http://www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk/">www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Glyn Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104502943236842461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031613449454305212.post-84636788856190447182013-04-25T14:54:00.002+01:002013-04-25T14:54:30.733+01:00<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jesus
through the eyes of other cultures and Faiths.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">A series of talks by
Rev’d Dr John Parry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Tuesdays at 7.30 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">April, 23, 30; May 7,
14, 21; June 4, 11, 2013<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Deanway United
Church, Chalfont St Giles</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">23 April <b>An
over-view</b><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We
consider first the way in which the figure of Jesus has been presented in other
parts of the world very much as a Westerner, reflecting our own culture and
values. We’ll explore briefly each of the talks in the series through
paintings, poetry and hymns and other writings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">30 April <b>African
responses</b><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">How
do African Christians respond to this figure of Jesus Christ? We consider Jesus the Chief, the Ancestor,
the Healer and Guide. Then we need to
explore the concept of <i>Ubuntu</i> – the
recognition that the individual is part of something far greater than him or
herself. What does the ‘Body of Christ’
mean in the light of this concept?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">07 May <b>Isa
- the Muslim Christ</b><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">If
you talk with Muslims they will affirm their belief in ‘all the Prophets’
including Jesus, known to Muslims as <i>Isa</i>. So, what do they believe about him and the
Virgin Birth? What was his message? What
relationship did he have with God? And …
what <i>is</i> this Trinity?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">14 May <b>The
‘unbound’ Christ of India<o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Missionaries
have been in India for quite a number of centuries. The consequence is that Hindus have analysed
the figure of Jesus of Nazareth through their own conceptual framework – we do
the same thing when we’re confronted by things from different cultures. Amongst other issues we’ll explore the
‘unbound’ Christ, that is, the Christ liberated, as they see it, from the
‘shackles’ of the Western Church.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">21 May <b>Christian
Indians respond to Jesus the Christ</b><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But
with the response we’ve seen above, how do Christian Indians respond. Is it possible to be both Indian and
Christian? Of course it is! But how?
There’s another issue here, that of the Dalit community, once known as
‘outcastes’. What does the figure of
Jesus crucified <i>outside</i> the city gate
have to say to them?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">28 May It’s half-term. We all get a break!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">04 June <a href="" name="_GoBack"></a><b>Jesus Christ through
a Sikh’s eyes</b><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Very
few people express interest in the Sikh community – it’s a great pity. Here’s a group of people who are monotheists,
who live by and through the grace of God and who seek justice and integrity of
faith. A Sikh poet wrote a fascinating
epic poem about Jesus of Nazareth – we explore that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">11 June <b>The
Jewish Jesus</b><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Our
final meeting will consider the Jewish Jesus – that’s exactly what he was. How does the Jewish community deal with this
being who is so intriguing yet so divisive?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Enquiries
to: John Parry: 01494 872747.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Glyn Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104502943236842461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031613449454305212.post-2298585911252992412013-03-28T17:48:00.000+00:002013-03-28T17:48:14.672+00:00<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Praying through the Passion and Easter 2013 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A resource from Christian Concern for One World</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.ccow.org.uk/">www.ccow.org.uk</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">MAUNDY THURSDAY</span> </u></b>-- Bread, Wine, Water The disciples had met for the most important meal of the year, the Jewish Passover. They had broken bread and shared wine -- and in the process had heard Christ declare a new covenant. And then He had washed their feet, giving them a new commandment to love as He had loved. Around the world, Christians will be remembering the Last Supper this Thursday. In some churches there will be reenactments of the Passover meal, and people will volunteer to wash others' feet or to have theirs washed. But for some, food for a meal or clean water for drinking, let alone washing, will not be available. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A friend of CCOW has just forwarded us this email from colleagues in Tanzania:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Here we are ok but no rain and it is very hot because we get a strong sun and people suffering from hunger is a very big problem. The maize price now is very high and money is not available. The cost of 20 kg of maize now is 20,000/= (£10) when the usually price was Tshs 5000/= (£2.50) or 8000/= (£4) and we don't know when the rain will come. Please if you can able to do something with your congregation. It is a very bad condition here, some people eat leaves of trees."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have been asked to pray for those affected by the drought and rise in food prices in Tanzania, and especially for better training to overcome the problems of drought. Please also pray:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for all who are not able to access the food and water so essential for life</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> that recalling the generosity with which Jesus gave of Himself in love, those of us who have access to food and water may love our neighbour by sharing what we have been given</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lord Jesus, you revealed the new covenant In the breaking of bread and sharing of the cup. As we commemorate the Last Supper We pray for all who will go hungry tonight, All who will thirst, And all for whom the water they share will be the bearer of ill health. As we recall your commandment to love one another as you have loved us, We pray that you will show us what we can do To help our brothers and sisters Have access to the food and drink they need. Help us to share the gifts you have given so abundantly. Help us to change unjust structures that concentrate resources in the hands of the few And leave so many without. And grant that the sustenance we receive from your table May strengthen us to follow where you lead.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Further Reading: According to the FAO's Global Food Price Monitor Bulletin, maize prices in Tanzania are high in part because of the local drought; they are also affected by high prices throughout the region ... which are in turn partially caused by the drastic impact on production of the recent US drought and by the use of maize for biofuels. Changes in the weather because of a changing climate … the impact of biofuels targets … these are among the issues on which this year’s Enough Food for Everyone IF campaign is focusing. You might wish to read the campaign's policy report or to look at their website in general. You might also wish to read Food for Life, A Theological Paper from the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance or Christian Aid’s Hungry for Justice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Action Points: What can you do to help those who have difficulties in accessing food or water? Consider:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> giving to a group, agency or project that assists with development or humanitarian relief</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> campaigning with Enough Food for Everyone IF, or with other groups (such as Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance) or agencies (such as WDM, War on Want) that are working on aspects of food justice</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> changing the way you eat: can you buy more Fairtrade products, so that producers are better able to make a living, or eat less meat and/or fewer dairy products, thus taking up less of the world’s grain resources. (Have a look at the Anglican Diocese of Sheffield’s Lent Challenge)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>GOOD FRIDAY</u></b> </span>-- Persecutors and the Persecuted Soldiers had arrested a man and taken him for trial. Once he was condemned, they stripped him, clothed him in mockery, taunted him, whipped him, and crowned his head with thorns. And then they led him out, staggering from loss of blood and from the heavy burden of the instrument that would kill him. At Golgotha they drove nails into his hands and feet and then, aware that the juddering of the cross as it was pulled up would be the beginning of yet more torment, raised the cross and watched him struggle to breathe until he died. It was their job. It was what the state had told them to do. And He forgave them: "Father, forgive them. They know not what they do."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> As we pray this week, people will be giving and being given commands that result in the torture or death of innocents. It is hard -- as it is with the Passion of Christ -- even to contemplate the suffering that results ... hard to understand how humans can do such things to each other. Pray for the people who are suffering, and pray that the infliction of suffering will be ended. But mindful of our Lord, who forgave even at the moment of his torment, pray, too, for those who are carrying out the orders to torture or kill as part of their "job." Pray that they will be given the strength to recognise and resist evil, that they will be able to escape from the situation which requires them to do what is wrong, and that they may work for forgiveness, reconciliation and healing. Give thanks for those who work for peace and reconciliation, and who provide places of healing for people who have been swept up into conflicts.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pray especially:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for those suffering, or at risk of suffering torture in Syria, Sri Lanka, Mexico and Eritrea (see below)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for those who suffer torture in other countries around the world -- sometimes at the behest of state agencies, sometimes as the result of conflict, criminality or endemic corruption.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for our own government, and the governments of the US, Canada and other Western democracies as they confront their possible complicity in torture (or even use of it) and grapple with their obligations to people deemed at risk of torture if deported or handed over to others</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for those who torture, who lose their humanity as they seek to remove humanity from their victims. Pray that their hearts may be turned from cruelty, and that they may recognise in each person the image of God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You might wish to use the Action by Christians against Torture Prayer, which begins:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lord Jesus, You experienced in prison the suffering and death of a prisoner of conscience. You were plotted against, betrayed by a friend, and arrested under cover of darkness by men who came with clubs and swords. You were tortured, beaten and humiliated, and sentenced to an agonizing death though you had done no wrong. Be now with prisoners throughout the world. Be with them in the darkness of the dungeon, in the loneliness of separation from those they love …</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Places for Prayer:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Pray for Syria (prayer resources here). Further Reading: Human Rights Watch’s "Torture Archipelago"; Save the Children’s Untold Atrocities; Amnesty International’s briefings on abuses by both Syrian government forces and armed opposition groups.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> An increasing body of evidence indicates that Sri Lanka continues to torture ethnic Tamils, including political prisoners and those returned to Sri Lanka after their asylum bids were rejected by the UK. Further Reading: Freedom from Torture press release on people granted asylum after removal and torture; Human Rights Watch press release and report on sexual violence against Tamils in Sri Lankan detention centres; Guardian story on Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace and Justice report.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Other places that require prayer include Mexico, where the "war against drugs" has led to state, as well as organised crime, tortures and "disappearances," and Eritrea.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Action Points: Praying: Torturers are often trying to silence others, which is why remembering and sharing the stories of those who are being tortured is so vital. Why not look at Human Rights Watch's report for 2013, choose a country and pray for the people/situations mentioned?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Writing: Desmond Tutu has started an e- petition on behalf of Nobelist Liu Xiaobo and his wife; Amnesty always has actions on behalf of individuals at risk in many countries.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Giving: Finally, could you give of your time or money to a charity such as Action by Christians against Torture or Freedom from Torture, and the people for whom it works?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">GOOD FRIDAY</span></u></b> -- Power, Corruption and Transparency The Gospels suggest that Pontius Pilate knew Jesus was innocent. He could find no fault in Him. He wanted to release Him. But then, the Gospel according to John tells us, the crowd suggested that if Pilate released Jesus, it would be evidence that he was “no friend of Caesar”. In danger of being accused of disloyalty to the Roman Empire, Pilate gave judgement and handed Jesus over to be crucified. Hanging on to power was more important than doing justice. It's reasonable for leaders to want to remain in power ... and there may be very good causes for their desire. They may hope to use their office to accomplish specific public goods. They may wish to provide stability during a crisis. But there are often less positive reasons as well. People may get used to privileges, or like the feeling that they can control events, or fear that their enemies will harm them if they are not in control. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pray that all leaders may have the strength and courage to do what is right, rather than being motivated primarily by political expedience or desire for power or gain. Please pray especially for those places where leaders are seeking to hold onto their power unjustly, creating situations in which government and the public good are subsidiary to their private interests. Pray that such leaders’ hearts may be softened, and that justice may triumph over injustice. You might wish to use or adapt some of the material from the Sanctuary Centre’s “Prayers for the Restoration of Integrity in public life – UK”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please also pray in thanksgiving for the progress the US and EU have made over the past year on measures that will tackle one of the greatest barriers to good governance, the lack of transparency in extractive industries. This lack of transparency can lead public officials to use their posts as a path to illegitimate enrichment … and to be very unwilling to cede power. All-powerful God, who for love of humanity became a powerless child, Grant to all in authority the wisdom and the courage to do what is right, A vocation to serve their people, and a sacrificial love of those whom they serve. And grant to those who create the rules by which nations and businesses are governed wisdom to set frameworks that encourage justice and righteousness to flourish. We ask this through Christ our Lord.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Further Reading and Action: As Zimbabwe’s elections near, there are concerns that Zanu PF may once again use violence and intimidation to hold onto power. Please pray that this may not happen. For those who were praying for Beatrice Mtetwa, a Zimbabwean human rights lawyer who was recently arrested, give thanks! She’s been released. Moves towards strong EU legislation on transparency in extractive industries took another step forward last week when UK Minister Jo Swinson stated that the UK would not support exemptions in disclosure requirements. Give thanks for this, and pray for the continuing negotiations around the directive. In the US, hearings have begun in a lawsuit that attacks the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rigorous implementation of legislation mandating transparency. Campaigners are worried by the direction that the questioning is taking. Please pray that the good work done by the SEC may not be undone by the lawsuit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Detail of James Tissot, Jesus before Pilate, Second Interview. Brooklyn Museum.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">HOLY SATURDAY </span></b>-- The Scattered Church It was the day after the Crucifixion. As Jesus had predicted, the shepherd had been taken and killed, and the sheep were scattered, retreating into hiding. Today, worshippers in places like Eritrea or Iran or North Korea know that their shepherd lives ... and rely on Him for their strength. But they are still often scattered and in hiding, as meeting together to worship Christ can be dangerous or, particularly in North Korea, fatal. Some are particularly isolated as they are enduring imprisonment for the sake of their faith.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body.” Hebrews 13:3, NASB</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please pray:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for Christians in Iran and Pakistan (see the 17 to 23 March prayer email for details)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for Christians in Eritrea. Christian Solidarity Worldwide estimates that 2,000 to 3,000 Christians are currently imprisoned for their faith. Find out more here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for Christians in China. Pray especially for the Roman Catholic church and the evangelical House Church movements, both of which are encountering particular difficulties with the authorities.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for Christians in North Korea. Christianity is seen as a form of rebellion against the state cult, and tens of thousands of Christians are estimated to be in the country’s brutal prison camps. You may wish to use the North Korea Prayer Guide from Open Doors UK in your prayers. Give thanks that the UN has recently established a Commission of Inquiry “to investigate the systematic, widespread and grave violations of human rights” in North Korea and pray for that commission.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for Christians in Nigeria. Continued inter-religious tensions in northern Nigeria have resulted in many deaths. Please pray for Christians in these areas, many of whom are staying away from church services, as they fear attacks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> For Christians in Libya, Mali and the Central African Republic. Conflict and rapid change have led to fragility in all these states. In Libya, though the political situation is more stable, the UN Support Mission and others have expressed concerns about religious freedom (Foreign Policy, IRIN) Some Coptic Christians have been arrested for “proselytising.” One of them died in jail, and a Coptic church was recently burned. Pray for Christians in that country.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for Christians in Tanzania. Colleagues report increasing inter-religious tension and threats made of attacks against churches at Easter. Please pray that no attacks occur. We have also been asked to pray for greater dialogue and understanding between Christians and Muslims.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In all cases, give thanks for the faithful witness of those who are willing to follow Christ, whatever the cost. As you pray for the persecuted Church, you may also wish to remember others who are suffering discrimination or persecution. The Church of England has a general prayer which can be used for “all victims of intolerance and those oppressed by their fellow humans.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>EASTER SUNDAY </b></span>-- From Hopelessness to Joy The faithful women made their way to the tomb, driven by love to undertake the bleak task of anointing the buried Jesus. The disciples waited in despair -- Peter in particular tormented by his betrayal of his Lord. And then ... "Why do you seek the living among the dead?" ... the astounding revelation that Christ had risen ... the transformation from hopelessness to joy ... the further revelation of God's purposes, love and forgiveness. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So many situations today can appear hopeless. People often feel, for example, that world poverty is a constant ... that things only get worse and worse … that nothing anyone does makes a difference. And yet, while there is much that remains painful and there are some situations which decline, there are profound positive transformations. In the past few decades, for example, thanks to work on global public health, polio has all but been eradicated; thousands more children live every day because of increased vaccination and other interventions; and millions of people are on life-saving HIV/AIDS medication. As economist Charles Kenny noted in a recent comment: “The (donor funded) Measles and Rubella initiative supported delivery of 225 million measles vaccine doses in 2011 alone. Measles vaccination rates worldwide went from 16% in 1980 to 85% in 2010. In 1980, measles killed 2.6 million people a year; that number was down to 139,000 in 2010.” Each large-scale change like those mentioned above includes myriad stories of individual or local transformation. Last year we visited nurses in local clinic in a South African township. In the past, antiretrovirals had been scarce. Now, thanks to a decision to use domestic funding and aid to provide medicines on a large scale, the government sent what the nurses needed at the beginning of every month. If they needed more, they had only to ask. The change was massive … and so was their delight.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nor are positive developments limited to “over there.” In this country, pressure to focus on the domestic to the exclusion of concern for others has been huge. And yet thousands of campaigners are pressing for action on development, seeking to love their neighbours as they love themselves.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At this time when we joyfully remember the Resurrection, please also give thanks for the ways in which “God’s glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves” manifests itself in transformed lives and transformed societies. Praise be to God!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it! Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity. (Psalm 98: 7 – 9)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even where situations continue to feel intractable, we know that the God who raised Jesus from the dead has the power to break in and transform our world's sin, confusion and sorrow. As we contemplate big issues such as climate change, crippling inequality, persecution and high food prices, please pray that God's transforming power may bring forth the Kingdom in these areas, changing seemingly hopeless scenarios into occasions that reveal His gifts of joy, peace, justice and love. Further Reading and Action: The Global Poverty Project's presentation at TedxWarwick looks at the myth that "nothing changes" (and other myths as well). DfID has an excellent page of case studies showing how aid has enabled progress in ways that are both large and small scale. Or look at the website of an agency you support to see the good news they and their partners are sharing!</span><br />
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Glyn Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104502943236842461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031613449454305212.post-38009048679768164922013-03-25T14:35:00.002+00:002013-03-25T14:35:36.492+00:00<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Addressing Rural Isolation in the</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Central and Eastern Region:</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Role of Community Shops</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">SHOPS owned and run by local communities reduce rural isolation, says a study released in March 2013 by the Plunkett Foundation.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 24px;">Despite the perception</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"> that villages are friendly and welcoming places, isolation and loneliness is experienced by a significant number of people living in rural communities. C</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">ommissioned by the Co-operative Group Central & Eastern Region, the report outlines the range of contributing factors which lead to rural isolation and then illustrates ways that community shops are reducing it. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"> The report studied three community shops: </span></span><span style="line-height: 24px;">The Shop, North Marston, Buckinghamshire, The Village Shop, Feckenham, Worcestershire, The Village Store and Cafe, Cottingham, Northamptonshire . As well as providing access to essential goods and services in areas </span><span style="line-height: 24px;">where there is no alternative supply</span><span style="line-height: 24px;"> each shop contributes to social activity and networking within the community benefiting a wide range of age groups and building community spirit. The shops also </span><span style="line-height: 24px;">provide opportunities</span><span style="line-height: 24px;"> for people to volunteer and learn new skills.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">The report can be found on the Plunkett Foundation website: :</span><span style="line-height: 24px;"><a href="http://www.plunkett.co.uk/">http://www.plunkett.co.uk/</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span>Glyn Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104502943236842461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031613449454305212.post-19435864849169567362013-03-19T17:16:00.000+00:002013-03-19T17:17:42.190+00:00<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Oxfordshire Woodfuel Programme bulletin</span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">March 2013<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><u>Chalara / ash die-back</u>:</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will probably have heard about chalara in
the news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a spore-borne disease
which is expected to kill nearly all ash in the coming years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A small proportion – maybe one in 100 trees –
will be immune.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As ash trees come into
leaf, it will become apparent if they have chalara or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Signs of the disease include wilting leaves,
brown veins in the leaves, and browning of young stems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forestry Commission advice is not to fell ash
trees unless they are ill: the felled tree might be in the 1% that are
immune.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides, the spores can travel
huge distances so felling trees as a prophylactic measure is not
effective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are aware of ash trees
with chalara, </span><a href="http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">www.forestry.gov.uk/chalara</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
gives advice on what to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>they can be
used as firewood unless the government places a special order on the trees that
prohibits their movement.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><u>Time to buy firewood and
stoves/boilers</u>:</strong> The woodfuel cutting year may be over, but this is the time
to buy firewood and store it for next autumn, and also to think about
installing a wood stove or boiler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The website
</span><a href="http://www.oxonwoodfuel.org.uk/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">www.oxonwoodfuel.org.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, provides
lots of advice on this, including information on the Renewable Heat Incentive
and lists of woodfuel and wood stove suppliers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><u>Woodfuel study visits</u>:</strong> There
will be three woodfuel themed study visits in the coming months: on 15 April, 1
June and 8 June.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first and last of
these will each involve a visit to a woodland, a wood processor and an
interesting wood boiler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 1 June
event is a unique opportunity to visit a woodland in a Ministry of Defence
site, and taste wild rabbit if you want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The cost is £25-£30 and numbers are limited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More information is at </span><a href="http://www.oxonwoodfuel.org.uk/woodfuel-site-visits"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">www.oxonwoodfuel.org.uk/woodfuel-site-visits</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><u>Logs for labour</u>:</strong> Thank
you to everyone who contacted me about this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have had five successful events this spring, and hope to roll out the
programme much more widely next autumn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
you are a woodland owner who could use some free help with woodland management
in return for people taking some firewood (labour for your logs), or if you would
like to work outdoors in return for some firewood (logs for your labour),
please get in touch with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More
information is at </span><a href="http://www.oxonwoodfuel.org.uk/logs-for-labour"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">www.oxonwoodfuel.org.uk/logs-for-labour</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong><u>Firewood quality standard</u>:</strong>
The Oxfordshire Woodfuel Programme is setting up a quality standard for
small-scale firewood suppliers in Oxfordshire, called 'OxLogs'.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It aims to provide transparency about the
amount, type, length and moisture content of firewood, and in time improve firewood
quality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OxLogs suppliers will state
the amount of wood in 'cubic metres tossed' (tossed is how it comes off the
truck; a tossed cubic metre is about 0.7 stacked cubic metres); type as
hardwood, softwood or mixed; and moisture content as <u><</u>25% which is ready
to burn, or unclassified which buyers would need to season themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please ask your supplier if they provide
OxLogs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Riki Therivel, </span><a href="mailto:manager@oxonwoodfuel.org.uk"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">manager@oxonwoodfuel.org.uk</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">,
01865 243488</span></div>
Glyn Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104502943236842461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031613449454305212.post-71450146283351061962013-03-15T11:26:00.003+00:002013-03-15T11:26:19.946+00:00<h1>
<a href="http://www.earthingfaith.org/2013/03/earthing-faith-retreat-day-6th-june-2013/" rel="bookmark"><span style="color: #616341;">Earthing Faith Retreat Day – 6th June 2013</span></a></h1>
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Connecting with God and nature </h4>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Contemplative in style + practical in nature</span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Wonder and awe are important sources of spiritual growth for many of us, and such transcendent moments, when we feel deeply connected to something bigger than themselves, often occur in nature.</span> </h3>
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<b>Join an exploration into nature based Christian practices and natural theology with guest facilitator Bruce Stanley, author of the new book <i>Forest Church: A Field Guide to Nature Connection For Groups and Individuals</i> and hosted by Matt Freer, <em>Diocesan Environment Officer</em>.</b></h4>
This retreat style day will explore the relevance of natural theology to our faith, introduce the ideas of Forest Church, and provide space for guided practical exercises.<br />
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<a href="http://www.earthingfaith.org/2013/03/forest-church-a-field-guide-to-nature-connection-for-groups-and-individuals/"><img alt="" class="size-thumbnail wp-image-4321 alignright" height="111" scale="0" src="http://www.earthingfaith.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/551263_10151258269965146_1565407375_n-290x290.jpg" width="111" /></a></div>
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What is Forest Church? The idea is a fresh expression in nature, and drawing on contemporary research that highlights the benefits of spending time with nature in wild places. <br />
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<strong>The day will take place in Wytham Woods just outside Oxford and will be largely based outdoors.</strong><br />
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The cost for the day to be around £20-25 per person, which will include lunch and refreshments. Spaces will be limited to 30 people.<br />
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Please note: as the day will require walking in the woods and uneven surfaces participants will need to be physically fit to walk in such terrain. Although the hope is for a sunny day, participants will also need to dress appropriately for all weather conditions.<br />
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For more details and to register interest go to: <a href="http://www.earthingfaith.org/2013/03/earthing-faith-retreat-day-6th-june-2013/">http://www.earthingfaith.org/2013/03/earthing-faith-retreat-day-6th-june-2013/</a>Glyn Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104502943236842461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031613449454305212.post-15253918040555957092013-03-15T11:21:00.002+00:002013-03-15T11:21:35.251+00:00
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<strong><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="color: #606060; font-size: large;">Free energy
training workshop </span></span></i></strong></div>
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<strong><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="color: #606060; font-size: large;">for village halls & community centres</span></span></i></strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Thursday 21 March at Steeple Aston Village Hall</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Would you like your community hall to be more energy efficient?<br />
Are you worried about energy bills spiraling out of control?<br />
Is your hall underused and sitting empty because it’s too cold in winter?<br />
Are you on the management committee of your local community hall?<br />
This FREE energy training workshop is for you:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #606060; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">The <strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Environmental Information Exchange </span></strong>(EiE),
funded by <strong><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">TOE2</span></strong>,
is running this half-day workshop on energy efficiency; it will include
information and advice on reviewing energy use, identifying problems and
finding solutions. There will also be an opportunity to tour the hall and
talk to a member of the hall committee. The workshops will start at
9.30am and finish with a locally sourced light lunch. The address of
Steeple Aston Village Hall is Fir Lane, Steeple Aston, OX25 4SF.</span><br />
<span style="color: #606060; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
If you would like to attend, please go to the following link and complete an
application form: <a href="http://lowcarbonhub.createsend5.com/t/r-l-olthuuk-qudutltji-tt/"><span style="color: #606060;">http://tinyurl.com/toe2workshops</span></a>
or contact <a href="mailto:fiona.danks@oxonrcc.org.uk"><span style="color: #606060;">fiona.danks@oxonrcc.org.uk</span></a>
for further details.</span>Glyn Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104502943236842461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031613449454305212.post-25957847336905579662013-03-15T10:53:00.003+00:002013-03-15T10:53:59.706+00:00<br />
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Esmée Fairbairn Foundation launch new £5m food strand</h2>
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Esmée Fairbairn Foundation has anounced the launch of its new <a data-cke-saved-href="http://esmeefairbairn.org.uk/what-we-fund/sectors/food" href="http://esmeefairbairn.org.uk/what-we-fund/sectors/food" style="border: 0px; color: #dc0b90; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">food strand</a>. Esmée will offer total funding of £5m over a period of three years and is inviting applications from organisations focused on understanding and investigating the critical role that food plays in wellbeing and the interplay between food, sustainability and poverty.<br /><br />The food strand is open to both large-scale strategic or policy-led interventions and organisations working on innovative local projects</div>
<div style="background-color: #eaeaea; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Helvetica Neue, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 31px;"><a href="http://esmeefairbairn.org.uk/news-and-learning/news-and-events/esme-fairbairn-foundation-launch-new-5m-food-strand">http://esmeefairbairn.org.uk/news-and-learning/news-and-events/esme-fairbairn-foundation-launch-new-5m-food-strand</a></span></span></div>
Glyn Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104502943236842461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031613449454305212.post-33228550936844241802013-03-06T15:34:00.001+00:002013-03-06T15:34:46.164+00:00<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="w640" style="margin: 0px 10px; width: 640px;"><tbody>
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<tr style="border-collapse: collapse;"><td align="left" bgcolor="#f2f1e9" class="w140" id="left-sidebar" style="border-collapse: collapse;" valign="top" width="140"><br /><span style="color: red;">A new information service from the Arthur Rank Centre.<br /><br />To subscribe and receive direct to your email inbox<br />go to <a href="http://www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk/">www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk</a><br />and look for the sign up<br />button on the top right hand<br />corner of the home page</span><br /><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="w140" style="width: 140px;"><tbody>
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Rank Insider</div>
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When I suggested “Out of the ARC” as a title to Jill she winced. Undaunted, I deployed cunning plan stage 2. “How about ARCaid?” At that point she looked seriously disturbed and “Out of the ARC” didn’t seem nearly so bad.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 9px; margin-top: 5px;">
So welcome to the first mailing. The idea is to bring together ideas and resources for rural churches from Jill (National Rural Officer for the Church of England), Graham (ditto, Methodist/URC), Simon (our training and resources officer) and in fact anything useful from anyone. It’s free.</div>
<div align="left" class="citation" style="color: #64635c; font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 9px; margin-top: 5px; text-align: right;">
— Jerry Marshall, CEO</div>
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News & Events</div>
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Calling All Creative Rural Leaders</div>
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<em>Creative Leadership in the Rural Church</em> (CLiRC) is an exciting new leadership development programme for lay and ordained leaders in the rural church. A highly successful pilot has just been completed in Yorkshire and the ARC will be rolling CLiRC out nationally from this coming September.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 9px; margin-top: 5px;">
If you would like your entrepreneurial skills to be affirmed, encouraged, developed and released for the good of rural communities and churches, then this 18 month programme is for you.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 9px; margin-top: 5px;">
For more details or to express an interest please email<a href="mailto:info@arthurrankcentre.org.uk" style="color: #6bae1b; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">info@arthurrankcentre.org.uk</a> or phone 024 7685 3060.</div>
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Invitation to Agricultural Chaplains' Association</div>
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Anyone interested is invited to attend the next meeting of the Agricultural Chaplains' Association at the Arthur Rank Centre on Wednesday 17 April 2013 from 11am - 3pm, whether or not you are a member of the Association. The morning will focus on the pig industry (speakers from NPA and BPEX) and the afternoon on new welfare benefits. There is no charge for attending. For further details please contact Revd Roger Greene on 01736 788506 or 07815 685538.</div>
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Ideas & Resources</div>
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New Free Discipleship Resource for Rural Churches</div>
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The latest resource for rural churches has just gone live on the Arthur Rank Centre website <a href="http://campaigns.ablosmedia.com/t/r-l-udurvd-jjukiyiuhd-c/" style="color: #6bae1b; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">here</a> .</div>
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This material is aimed at developing discipleship in rural church congregations and is for both lay people and ordained ministers. It contains:</div>
<ul style="margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 19px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<li>practical resources that can be used directly in many rural churches</li>
<li>case studies</li>
<li>guidance on adapting existing discipleship resources for use in rural churches.</li>
</ul>
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It is a free tool to enhance the mission and ministry of rural churches and will be kept updated.</div>
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Get in touch with us if you have your own examples, resources or courses you would like to share more widely.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 9px; margin-top: 5px;">
The material adds to the large library of on-line resources for rural churches at www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk, ranging from worship material to evangelism training to community audits and including links to many other useful sources.</div>
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IN BRIEF...</div>
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<ul style="margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 19px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<li><strong>The Cinnamon Network</strong> has short films on a wide range of social franchises that can be adopted by churches. Foodbank is best best known example. They can also provide £2,000 towards the costs of starting a recognised community franchise project. See <a href="http://campaigns.ablosmedia.com/t/r-l-udurvd-jjukiyiuhd-a/" style="color: #6bae1b; font-weight: bold;">here.</a></li>
<li><strong>Food Matters</strong> is a new project from the Diocese of Oxford to help churches connect with the seasons and traditional farming festivals, and explore key food related themes. The first of the Food Matters seasonal guides "Winter-preparing the ground" is now available <a href="http://campaigns.ablosmedia.com/t/r-l-udurvd-jjukiyiuhd-f/" style="color: #6bae1b; font-weight: bold;">here.</a></li>
<li><strong>Two new monthly publications for parishes</strong> are available from the Church of England. <em>In Review</em> is designed for noticeboards,<em> In Focus</em> is an A5 magazine insert. See <a href="http://campaigns.ablosmedia.com/t/r-l-udurvd-jjukiyiuhd-z/" style="color: #6bae1b; font-weight: bold;">here.</a></li>
</ul>
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RESOURCE FOCUS... Buildings</div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 9px; margin-top: 5px;">
Do browse through <a href="http://campaigns.ablosmedia.com/t/r-l-udurvd-jjukiyiuhd-v/" style="color: #6bae1b; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">“Resources for Rural Places of Worship”</a>, This comprehensive guide and information hub covers anything to do with rural places of worship including: </div>
<ul style="margin-bottom: 18px; margin-left: 19px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<li>maintenance,</li>
<li>funding</li>
<li>re-ordering</li>
<li>churchyards</li>
<li>opening up to community use and tourists</li>
<li>practical issues e.g. bats, metal theft, energy efficiency, asbestos, etc.</li>
<li>and masses of other relevant issues.</li>
</ul>
<div style="margin-bottom: 9px; margin-top: 5px;">
Whatever the question, the anwer is on our web site. Well, probably.</div>
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Local Mission Swap Shop!</div>
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Take a look at <a href="http://campaigns.ablosmedia.com/t/r-l-udurvd-jjukiyiuhd-e/" style="color: #6bae1b; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">this</a> very practical rural case study on how local rural churches can share their experience & ideas, and learn together about all sorts of local examples of mission and community engagement. For lay people, PCCs/church committees and ministers!</div>
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Glyn Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104502943236842461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031613449454305212.post-13617029936037535842013-02-21T09:20:00.003+00:002013-02-21T09:20:28.303+00:00<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Nurture & Discipleship in Rural Churches</i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">goes live!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The latest resource for rural churches has recently gone
live on the Arthur Rank Centre website at <a href="http://www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk/publications-and-resources/rural-discipleship">www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk/publications-and-resources/rural-discipleship</a>
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Nurture & Discipleship in Rural Churches</i></b>
is aimed at developing discipleship in rural church congregations and is for
both lay people and ordained ministers. It contains</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">practical
resources that can be used in churches</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">guidance
on how to adapt existing discipleship resources for use in rural churches</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;">case
studies</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is a free tool to enhance the mission and ministry of
rural churches and will be kept updated.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
Glyn Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104502943236842461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031613449454305212.post-88618874970609063752013-02-20T10:23:00.002+00:002013-02-20T10:23:36.580+00:00<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Farm visits - a great experience for everyone</u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Let Nature Feed you senses project</u></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/oo-ktbGslt4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Glyn Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104502943236842461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031613449454305212.post-50469755440332390012013-02-17T12:56:00.003+00:002013-02-17T12:56:38.436+00:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Food Scandals, Food Systems
and Food Choices</span></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>from </b></span><b><a href="http://www.ccow.org.uk/weekly-prayer-email-17-to-23-feb-2013/" target="_blank">Weekly Prayers CCOW 17-23rd Feb 2013</a></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">written by Maranda St John Nicholle</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b>
<br /><span style="font-size: small;">
If "you are what you eat," then a number of us are probably wondering
precisely what we are. The recent food scandals have left people wondering to
what extent one can trust the labels on products involving ground meat and
calling for greater testing and transparency in food chains. It's profoundly to
be hoped that the scandals succeed in ensuring both greater testing and
transparency in global supply chains, as well as helping people to think more
deeply about the implications of where their food comes from.</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-size: small;">
As Christians, can we take the issues fully on board? Can we view our food
choices as relating to our faith ... and use them consistently to express our
beliefs, so that they are a testimony to our love of God and God's word?
Perhaps we might do this through a concern for justice for all producers (local
and global), insistence on sustainability in agriculture, support for
accountability and proper regulation, and personal patterns of consumption that
emphasise moderation and lack of waste ... </span><br />
<br /><span style="font-size: small;">
Please pray for wisdom and discernment for all involved in the food industry.
Pray for increased transparency and justice for producers. Pray that all
Christians may make decisions on food that reflect their faith.</span><br />
<br />
<b style="font-size: 12pt;">Further Listening: </b><span style="font-size: small;"> Four Christian experts (Farmer Roy Lambourne,
Theologian and activist Ruth Valerio, Priest and public health expert Mike
Rayner, and International Director of Christian Aid Paul Valentin) </span><a href="http://bit.ly/WFdQnb" style="font-size: 12pt;">reflect on "What food means to me ...."
at the launch of the Food Matters project.</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>F<span style="background-color: white; color: #7d7d7b; line-height: 20.390625px; text-align: start;">ood Matters is a new project from the Diocese of Oxford to help churches connect with the seasons and traditional farming festivals, and explore key food related themes</span>:</b><a href="http://www.foodmatters.org.uk/" target="_blank"> www.foodmatters.org.uk</a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />Glyn Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104502943236842461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031613449454305212.post-82939638292413493192013-02-13T09:14:00.001+00:002013-02-13T09:14:19.865+00:00<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OXFORDSHIRE RURAL
COMMUNITY COUNCIL <o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><i><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Helping
communities to help themselves<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></i></b></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>ORCC</u></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> is</span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">the county's leading rural charity,
serving Oxfordshire's villages and market towns </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">and is a community development agency,
skilled in creative and effective community involvement and consultation</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>ORCC </u></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">helps
communities identify the things that matter to them, now and for
their future, and gives practical help and advice to find the best ways of
dealing with them.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 3.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">In spite of changing times, many
rural problems such as housing, transport and the availability of services have
never gone away. Founded in 1920, ORCC is the country's oldest RCC and
throughout the decades its focus has been on 'helping communities to help
themselves'. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 3.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> <b><u>ORCC</u></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> is staffed by an able,
experienced, committed team with specialist expertise in a variety of work
areas. The organisation is quality accredited with the internationally
recognised ISO9001 and the national ACRE Quality Standard level 3,
accredited by the Charity Commission.</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 3pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">·</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><u> </u></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>ORCC</u></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> brings together people who care
about rural life. Membership is open to parish councils, community
organisations, businesses, and individuals. A modest annual
subscription gives exclusive access to a variety of resources such as our bi-monthly
Bulletin, specialist handbooks and rural policy news.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> "</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>Our national parent body, ACRE
(Action with Communities in Rural England) leads a network of 38 RCCs which
cover all of rural England. The RCCs are all different, but share the same
principles and skills". </i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: large;">What services does ORCC provide? </span></u></b><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What matters to communities matters
to us. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">ORCC's advisory services cover a
range of subjects; currently the main areas of activity are:-</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;">community buildings</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;">village shops</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;">affordable housing</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;">community-led and Neighbourhood Planning</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;">rural transport</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;">access to services</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;">energy and fuel poverty</span><br /><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">broadband</span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 3.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> "</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>We regularly do short-term pieces of
work too, for example support for community action on climate change, a Home
Workers project, and on keeping older people active in their communities". </i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">ORCC's core advisory services are
free of charge. Some specialist and more intensive consultancy, such as
Neighbourhood Planning support, will be offered on a fee-paying basis. Members
qualify for discounts on prices for any events and training for which
there is a charge.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">ORCC funding comes from a mix of
grants and contracts from central government (DEFRA) Oxfordshire County Council
and the four rural District Councils. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 3.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> <u> </u></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>ORCC Trading Ltd</u></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> ORCC's trading company, </span><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> runs a
community-based bulk oil-buying scheme that makes it possible for households,
community organisations and businesses without access to mains gas to get
substantially cheaper heating oil. The scheme has proved so successful
that it has been rolled out by RCCs in 21 other counties.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Partner organisations<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">ORCC hosts and collaborates with
partners to deliver services to the community. Our partners include:-</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">the Trust for Oxfordshire's Environment (‘TOE2’)</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Oxfordshire Playing Fields Association (OPFA)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; text-indent: -18pt;">Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action (OCVA)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Oxfordshire Community Benefit Society (OCBS)</span><span style="font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> <i>"We have a long-standing close
relationship with the Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils (OALC) as well
as having links with a wide variety of other organisations in Oxfordshire –
both town and country, local and county-wide".</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">How do you get ORCC’s services?</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">ORCC’s field workers are the first
port of call for general advice on any ORCC service (contact details below).
Each of them has their own specialism and will channel specific projects to the
right team member according to what help is needed. They will also advise on
what kind of specialist consultancy might be appropriate where more detailed
support is needed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">ORCC’s field workers also work
closely with the partner organisations mentioned above and will liaise with
colleagues to make sure that communities get the right service.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The ORCC website is full of useful
information (</span><a href="http://www.oxonrcc.org.uk/"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">www.oxonrcc.org.uk</span></a></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">) and a dedicated area for our members provides extra
resources such as the ORCC Bulletin, the specialist ORCC Policy Bulletin and
numerous handbooks and toolkits packed with practical advice. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Glyn Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104502943236842461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8031613449454305212.post-60788992233828671582013-02-13T09:03:00.001+00:002013-02-13T09:03:34.139+00:00<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Major
Tourism Conference for West Midlands<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Plans
are already in place for a major Church Tourism Conference on 25<sup>th</sup>
April 2013 in Herefordshire. Leominster Priory will be the central venue for
the event which is being advertised to churches and tourism organisations
across the country. Workshops will also use other nearby heritage buildings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“The
Diocese of Hereford, which covers half of Shropshire and parts of Wales and
Worcestershire is very much at the forefront of Church Tourism, because we have
such an amazing collection of stunning churches but we have been encouraging
churches to cater for the tourists and visitors to this region for several
years now,” said Wendy Coombey, Community Partnership and Funding Officer for
the Diocese and one of the main organisers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Speakers
are already being booked with church members and others being invited to turn
up and learn more about how your church can attract and look after visitors
through a variety of exciting and informative workshops. They include Visitor
Welcome, Church Security, Parish Stories and Case Studies, Promoting and
Marketing Your Church, How to Research Family History and the attraction of
churchyards. The Keynote Speaker is Professor Terry Stevens.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Professor Terry Stevens is the Founder
and principal of the international, multi-award winning tourism consultancy,
Stevens & Associates. The consultancy was established 25 years ago and has
worked in over 40 countries. Clients include international development and aid
agencies, national and local governments as a well as a wide range of private
sector businesses. Terry is Patron of the Church Tourism Network in Wales and
has recently, advised the Church in Wales on alternative uses for redundant
churches. He is widely acknowledged as an innovative thinker who challenges
traditional ways of working in tourism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">His keynote speech will examine market
trends, highlight the importance of innovative thinking and he will dare the
audience to think and act differently if we are to succeed in capturing the
imagination and interest of our audiences in the future.</span><span style="font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“We
are very fortunate in having Professor Terry Stevens as our keynote speaker as
well as other leading figures from the tourism sector. The Conference, Small
Things BIG Difference, is aimed at helping churches make small changes in and
around their buildings which will enhance the visit for all the people that
visit the region annually,” said Wendy. “Churches are part of the tourism
industry whether they like it or not, so we have decided that we <i>do</i> like
it and are doing what we can across the region to make things happen.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Latest
available figures show 10.6 million people visiting Shropshire annually and
spending</span><span style="font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">£561 million pounds. In Herefordshire,
visitors number nearly 6 million spending more than £250 million pounds.
Worcestershire welcomes nearly 12 million visitors bringing in more than £500
million pounds to the local economy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The
Conference Small Things BIG Difference takes place in and around Leominster
Priory on 25th April 2013 from 9.30 to 4pm. It will also include using the historic
Forbury Chapel, now a meeting venue, and Grange Court, one of the oldest
buildings in the market town after the Priory, which dates from 660AD. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">For more details contact: Anni Holden, </span><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">Director of Communications. </span><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">The Palace, Hereford HR4 9BL</span></div>
<span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; text-align: justify;">01432 373342 or 07889 186316 </span><span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><a href="mailto:a.holden@hereford.anglican.org" title="blocked::mailto:a.holden@hereford.anglican.org">a.holden@hereford.anglican.org</a> </span> <span style="font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://www.hereford.anglican.org/" style="font-size: 12pt;" title="blocked::http://www.hereford.anglican.org/">www.hereford.anglican.org</a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: navy; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>Glyn Evanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09104502943236842461noreply@blogger.com0