Up until 50 years ago Christian festivals played a more prominent role in the lives of ordinary folk; today many are neglected or even forgotten. Rogation and Ascension tide are two such cases in point. Both fall in the week of the Sixth Sunday of Easter and were formerly marked with processions and outdoor activities.

The Rogation Days, the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before Ascension Day originated in Vienne in France around 470 AD after a series of natural disasters, plagues and earthquakes, had caused much suffering among the people. Archbishop Mamertus proclaimed a fast and ordered that special litanies and prayers be said as the population processed around their fields, asking God’s protection and blessing on the crops that were just beginning to sprout. The Latin word rogare means ‘to ask’ and thus these were ‘Rogation’ processions. In an agricultural society the custom quickly spread throughout Europe and Britain and eventually the Sunday before Ascension also became included in the celebration, with the appointed Gospel reading from John ch. 16 where Jesus tells his disciples "Ask and ye shall receive." It became customary to hold processions with crosses and banners around the countryside, with picnics and other revels thrown in. Initially the processions were held to bless the crops and ask God for clement weather to assure a good harvest but the practice soon combined with a much older custom of walking the boundaries of the parish, which, as is often the case today, was a civil as well as a religious unit. The processions would stop at significant landmarks - a venerable tree, a great rock, or even a pond. The priest would read the Gospel (hence the term "Gospel Oak") and perhaps affix a cross to the landmark. The practice of walking the perimeter of the parish was considered a useful way of teaching the young their parish boundaries before maps became commonplace and young boys were often subjected to many indignities – beatings, duckings, being held upside down over fences, bumped against rocks – to help them remember better! In later times the boundary markers themselves would be beaten with willow wands, hence the term "beating the bounds". The tradition

is revived today in some parts of Britain, especially in rural areas where there is a strong focus on agriculture.

The celebrations reached their climax on Ascension Day itself, beginning with a service in church to commemorate the departure of the risen Christ from the earth. In some churches the Pascal Candle would be extinguished after the reading of the gospel: the gentle ascent and disappearance of the smoke from its smouldering wick seen as a poignant symbol of Christ’s ascension into heaven. As a child I can remember we were given a half-day holiday after the customary attendance at church, a relic no doubt of the tradition of outdoor picnics and revelry on that day.

A uniquely English custom, which starts on Ascension Day, is the practice of well-dressing, most famous in Derbyshire. Certain local wells are decorated with elaborate mosaic pictures created from flower petals and other natural materials pressed into clay, generally with a religious theme. This custom, which is possibly older than Christianity in Britain, is thought to derive from a thanksgiving for pure, life-giving

water in times of drought or plague, rather than being linked directly to the Feast of the Ascension itself. As has so often happened, pagan practice and Christian observance have become intertwined. Indeed the practice of well-dressing in Derbyshire towns and villages continues throughout the summer.

So how will you celebrate these ancient festivals? Will you walk the parish boundaries, asking for a blessing on this year’s crops, will you picnic on top of a local hill to recall the Ascension of Christ into heaven, or will you take a trip to the well-dressing ceremony in Tissington? You can even attend a church service to celebrate the Ascension into Glory of the Risen Lord at 7.30 pm on Thursday 1st May in Warton Church.

Alison Meredith

Before he ascended, Jesus ordered the disciples not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there to be baptized by the Holy Spirit. After his Ascension, they returned to the upper room in Jerusalem (where they had eaten the Passover meal) and devoted themselves to prayer. It was there in Jerusalem on the Jewish Feast of Pentecost, fifty days after Passover, - "Penta" meaning fifty – that the Holy Spirit descended in tongues of fire and the disciples were empowered to go out and preach the Gospel "to the ends of the earth". Pentecost is therefore considered to be the birthday of the Church.

The Easter Season includes the preparation period of forty weekdays of Lent and Holy Week and finishes with Pentecost Sunday or Whit Sunday (derived from "White Sunday" when people traditionally dressed in white to be baptized). The Church of England then celebrates a Pentecost Season, which lasts for eleven to sixteen Sundays, depending on the date of Easter, from Pentecost Sunday until the last Sunday in August. The Season of Pentecost usually focuses on the evangelical mission of the Church to the world.

The traditional symbols of Pentecost are the dove, representing the Holy Spirit, and tongues of fire, illustrating the power of the Holy Spirit.

Mike Smith

In the British Library is a tiny Book

of Prayers, written in English, which is probably

that used by Lady Jane Grey on her way to the

scaffold in 1554. I am particularly taken with

one of the prayers she used:

Her prayer is obviously that of a very devout person and reflects her complete faith in God, asking for his support and giving herself wholly to his will, asking nothing for herself but trusting in him completely and patiently bearing all he sends.

Lady Jane Grey was known for her beauty, piety and intelligence. Tutored by John Aylmer (later Bishop of London), she was proficient at languages, speaking fluently French, Italian, Latin and Greek.

Jane was great-granddaughter of Henry VII and the daughter of the Marquis of Dorset and, under Henry VIII’s will, residuary legatee of the crown after his daughters Mary and Elizabeth.

The Duke of Northumberland, however, bound his family to the throne by marrying his eldest son Lord Guildford Dudley to Jane on 21st May 1553. Northumberland then persuaded Edward VI to set aside the claims to the throne of his Catholic half sister Mary Tudor and bequeath his throne to his Protestant cousin Jane and her heirs. A documentary device was drafted in Edward’s own hand, taken as an

indication by some of how much he hated his sisters.

However, Edward died on July 10th that same year, 1553, and Jane reluctantly accepted the crown. Her legendary reign as Queen of England was brief – a mere nine days – before the Catholic Mary Tudor raised an army and with the support of the populace was swept to power. Jane was imprisoned on Mary’s orders and confined to the Tower of London, along with her husband. She was condemned to death for usurping the throne and on 12th February 1554, she was beheaded on Tower Green before reaching her seventeenth birthday. She is said to have given her prayer book, which she had read during her final journey and held in her hand during her speech from the scaffold and in which she had written various farewell messages, to Sir John Bridges, the lieutenant of the Tower.

Alan Hartwell

Hopefully you will already have booked the afternoon of Saturday 31st May for a visit to Anne and Ray’s delightful garden at Hillview in Church Lane, Seckington. After admiring the carefully tended flower and vegetable beds and purchasing your local produce, raffle and tombola tickets, you can take the weight off your feet and sit in the sunshine enjoying a refreshing cuppa and a slice of home made cake.

All proceeds will go to All Saints’ Church.

Residents of Newton Regis are looking forward to welcoming visitors from a wide area at their annual Flowers and Gardens event on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd June. Come and enjoy exploring this picturesque North Warwickshire village and admire the green-fingered expertise of its inhabitants. And don’t forget to look at the magnificent floral displays filling St. Mary’s Church, where you will also be able to relive your childhood through the exhibition of "Toys through the Ages". Then it’s only a short step across to the Church Hall for some welcome refreshments.

If you’re interested in art and music, then Austrey is the place to be during the weekend of Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th July. On both those days, following last year’s successful event, the Austrey Art Club will be holding an exhibition of members’ work in the Village Hall. Do come and admire their varied and very professional talents.

Then on the evening of Saturday 5th July there will be a concert in St. Nicholas’ Church, with various local musicians and all types of music – there will be something for everyone. If you would like to take part or are able to help, you can find details by logging on to http://ausconcert.axspace.com or else get in touch with Trish Richardson (Tel. 01827 66282 or email trishr18@aol.com)

Info about Austrey Art Club

The ‘Art in Austrey’ group was set up in September 2006 by David Kemp, in response to the needs of a group of people who had previously attended an Art Class in Polesworth. They were joined by others in Austrey and outlying villages who were keen to paint.

There are now 16 people in the group, we have no tuition, just friendly advice from the other ‘artists’! We paint using a variety of techniques – watercolour, acrylics, pastel watercolour pencils and pen & ink. We meet in the Old School Hall every Wednesday at 10.00 a.m. for approximately three hours.

Our talents are varied and we all enjoy encouraging each other, while also having time for coffee and biscuits and some lively joke-sharing sessions!

In June last year we put on our first exhibition in the Hall and were delighted with the response from the villagers. Some of us even sold paintings! We raised £240 which was donated to the Old School Hall fund – a contribution towards the solicitors fees for the impending transfer of the Hall to the village.

This year we are having another exhibition on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th July and hope that even more people will come to see our work.

If you would like to join us, we welcome new members – whether they are beginners or experienced – so do come and pay us a visit.

The following weekend, Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th July, residents will again be opening their gardens for you to enjoy. As well as displays of horticultural excellence, there will be the usual refreshments, raffle and tombola. The event is being organised this year by the Austrey Gardening Society and offers of help will be gratefully received by Chairman Barry Truman (Tel: 830296)

Another annual favourite, in aid of St. Giles Hospice, held at Willows Farm, Warton on Saturday 12th July. Tickets at £5-50 available from Edith Critchley (892318) or Alison Meredith (892796).

Preparations are already well under way to ensure that this year’s Warton Carnival is bigger and better than ever. In fact, the work never stops, as attractions have to be booked well in advance and raising funds to cover expenses is a continuous process. Selection of the Carnival Queen, Deputy Queen, Princess, Maid and Page Boy takes place towards the end of April – a great chance for village youngsters to make it an extra special day. The very young are not forgotten and the winners of the Baby Competition will join the Carnival Procession which will set off from The Elms at the end of Austrey Road around 1 pm after the judging of the floats and walkers by the Mayor and Mayoress of North Warwickshire.

If previous years are anything to go by, spectators will be out in their hundreds around the village to hear the bands playing and admire the colourful ingenuity of those participating in the procession. If you haven’t done so before, why not join in? Afterwards, on the recreation ground, there will be a full programme of events. Attractions for 2008 include the Warton School Maypole Dancers, Eastern Belly Dancers, Earl Shilton CLCG Brigade Band, Warwickshire Steel Pans Orchestra and our local fantastic Kangaroos Gymnastic Team, plus a variety of stalls as well as refreshments and children’s fairground rides. And don’t be surprised to see a number of scarecrows popping up in gardens the evening before, to catch the eye of the judges in the ‘Best Scarecrow Competition’.

Book the date now – it’s an event not to be missed!

A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were talking at a reunion and decided to go and visit their old university professor, now retired. During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work and lives.

Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and an assortment of cups – porcelain, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite – telling them to help themselves to the hot chocolate.

When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said: "Notice that all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.

The cup that you’re drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In most instances it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink.

What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not the cup; but you consciously went for the best cups…. And then you began eyeing each other’s cups.

Now consider this: Life is the hot chocolate; your job, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life. The cup you have does not define, nor change the quality of life you have.

Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate God has provided us. God makes the hot chocolate, man chooses the cups.

The happiest people don’t have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything that they have. So, live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly… and enjoy your hot chocolate!"

(received via email)

JCWay Update

JCWay has continued in its usual manner, a weekly gathering of young people studying the bible together and praying - as well as having lots of fun through a variety of games and general silliness.

We would like again to take this opportunity to thank Sheila for the weekly hospitality she has provided over the last 5 years at least- for putting up with our noise and mess, never once complaining and always making us feel welcome.

There have been some recent changes though. We still meet on a Wednesday, but we have begun to make our home at the Old School Hall in Newton Regis. So far it has been a success; with the extra space, a ping pong table is in regular use, and the games can be fun without damaging property, or furniture, though we may have damaged people (Joke!). It’s a great space for us to meet together, and we look forward to many more times meeting here.

In recent weeks we have been looking at the lives of inspirational Christians both in the Bible and in the modern day, such as King David, Esther, and Jackie Pullinger. We have been trying to see what aspects of their story we can apply to our own lives, and how God worked through them in various situations and ways.

We are happy to say we have had some new additions to our group, who we are gradually building relationships with, and who seem to be enjoying getting to know us and what we are about as much as we are enjoying getting to know them. We are also just beginning to plan our yearly trip to Soul Survivor and we are hoping to have decent weather this time (as if!).

Please feel free to come and join us and see what is going on – no charge and there are some crisps and ‘nibbles’ available every week too!

God Bless - JCWay (written by Rachel Carr with lots of help from others!)

This has been an historic year in the life of our 5 Churches here in North Warwickshire as our partnership has been firmly united together with the formation of the new single Benefice and Parish of All Souls, North Warwickshire. Each of the PCCs of the 5 Churches first agreed to move towards forming one single parish and PCC back in October 2004, so in that sense it has been a lengthy process. However, the length of time that has passed has been important in enabling the congregations of our 5 Churches to build trust and understanding of each other through meeting and worshipping together.

The legal process bringing Austrey, Warton, Newton Regis, Seckington and Shuttington together as All Souls Parish was formally ratified on June 12th 2007. The event itself was a bit of anti-climax in the sense that we were notified by letter. However, we had already made plans for the Bishop of Birmingham, the Rt. Revd David Urquhart, to lead a special service celebrating the formation of our new parish on September 22nd in Austrey Church.

Bishop David led the service in a very powerful and moving way and it was a very uplifting occasion, which celebrated and gave thanks to God for our new partnership together in the Gospel. The service both looked back at the journey we have made together and also looked forward in expectation of the greater unity and co-operation between the five Churches as we work together as one. Obviously each of our five church congregations were represented and involved in the service along with representatives from some of our village organisations, and the Headteachers from our three Church of England Primary Schools. The service and the lunch we shared afterwards marked a wonderful way in which to start our new parish and partnership.

Eight days later we started our first major initiative together as All Souls Parish, with the launching of our new family-orientated Sunday morning worship – Soul Café. Warton CE Primary School was the venue for first three held in September, October & November and Austrey CE Primary School for January, February and March. We have now moved to Newton Regis CE Primary School for April, May and June. The Schools have been used both because of the practical advantages they offer and for a greater sense of informality designed to suit children. We have been encouraged by the number of people and families who have attended the six events so far, with some families attending every one. I am very grateful to the team of people who have been involved in organising, leading and supporting Soul Café. We are also grateful to each of the schools for their co-operation and support.

I want to convey my special thanks to all the Churchwardens for all their work and support this year, along with the PCC treasurers & PCC members; the Music Group; the 2 organists; the Choir; the Sunday School, & the JC Way Leaders; Bellringers; the Open Door helpers; Home Group Leaders; the Soul Café team; and all who support and sustain the ministry and mission of the church across our five parishes.

The 5 separate Annual Church Meetings were held for the last time in March and from those meetings All Souls PCC has been elected, which will serve the whole parish of 5 Churches.

It is a year of change and new opportunities as we work completely together to share the love of Jesus by word and deed with all who live in All Souls Parish.

Stephen Banks

Welcome Packs for new Austrey and Warton Residents

Moving house is – as we all know – stressful. When new people move into our villages they have a lot of new information to find out – and rural communities do not always have obvious local services such as where to go for the doctor, dentist and even the nearest shopping. Not all our villages even have a post office or a village shop any more. It can also be daunting to "break into" a village community where everyone seems to know everyone else.

Both Austrey and Warton have for some years had a "Welcome Pack" – designed to be taken personally by a neighbour to new people in the village. The pack contains a small booklet describing many of the activities that go on in the particular village and also the services and amenities that people around the area use, such as local clinics, leisure centres etc. The booklet is accompanied by a welcome card from the person taking it and a letter from the Church, a copy of the Dove and any other relevant newsletters. In Austrey’s case the Parish Council also provides a letter of welcome and a copy of Austrey News.

The centre pages of the booklet also provide a calendar of events during the year so that people can become involved in village life and know what is going on.

The Welcome Packs are regularly updated with new information so they are not kept in large quantities but are produced as required for new neighbours. The co-ordinator for Austrey is Sheila Lashford (Tel 830247) and Warton’s co-ordinator is Alison Meredith (Tel 892796).

If you have anything you want to include in the Welcome Pack please do contact us. Please also get in touch if you know of someone who has recently moved into your neighbourhood.

I would also be happy to help the other villages in our parish to set up a welcome pack for their community.

CIRCULAR WALK FROM NEWTON REGIS TO THORPE

I was accompanied by Ray Lloyd on this walk. It rained to begin with and our feet became quite soggy but the sun came out and we enjoyed the walk. We found the path to Thorpe easy to find but had some difficulty on the return. The trip took us about 2 hours.

We parked in front of Newton church.

1.Walk westwards from the church, past the Queen’s Head and turn right into Newton Lane.

2.At "A" about 60 metres along Newton Lane on the right is a metal ‘kissing gate’ next to a field gate. Through the kissing gate, bear left keeping hedge and pond on your left hand. Head for the far left corner of a second small field.

3.Find an open field with two lone trees. From the first tree head slightly to your left to a hedge corner with a way marker and a good wooden bridge with handrails. No path had been cleared through the growing crop.

4.Over bridge and turn right alongside hedge to a small pond and tree. Bear about 45 degrees to the left and head for way marker post alongside main Ashby Road at "B"

5.See a second way marker about 40 metres to the left on the opposite side of the road. Take care crossing the road. It is difficult to judge the distance of cars when they are travelling at about 170mph! (As they appear to be when one is on foot).

6.At 45 degrees left from the road head for a large grey looking house called "Glebe House". Through a gap in the next hedge and past a pond in the middle of the next field, walk by the garden of Glebe House to a concrete farm track.

7.Turn left along the concrete track and then right along the road for about 300 metres. At "C" find a stile in the right hand hedge, opposite a holly hedge.

8.Over the stile and follow the field edge with the hedge on your right hand. Follow the track along the north edge of the wood and along the edge of the next field to the hedge.

9.Turn right and with the hedge on your left walk towards Newton Church. Pass a small pond and reach the corner of the field at "D".

10.In theory the right of way continues straight on, but a ditch and a hedge bar the way. We turned left along a track to a brick barn (where we disturbed a barn owl) and then past the barn and half way along the south side of a small wood at "E". We found no way markers in this area.

11.From "E" we tried to take the correct route of the right of way. Head for Newton church and the far corner of the large wood and from there can just be discerned faded white paint on a stile in the road side hedge.

12.Over the stile and the road to a way marker just to the right. Walk towards Newton church to a hedge corner. Continue to a gap in the next hedge with a way marker post.

13.With the hedge on your right hand walk to the corner of the field to find steps and a plank bridge leading to a metal ‘kissing gate’ at "F".

14.The right of way runs from the kissing gate diagonally across the wide field to a metal field gate in the opposite corner marked "G". The local dog walkers have worn a path around the edge of the field. We went across the middle!

15.The metal field gate leads onto King’s Lane. Turn right and return to Newton church.

Occasionally one must take a deep breath and tackle the difficult things in life, so here goes: BRUSSEL SPROUTS.

Sprouts have a reputation for causing all sorts of problems and both children and husbands are supposed to dislike them!

This recipe overcomes all that sort of thing. Mothers, your children will be clammering for sprouts for breakfast, and wives, your husbands will be butter in your hand.

Ingredients:

About 1lb (450g in foreign) Sprouts

4 oz (100 gm) Streaky bacon

1 oz (25 gm) Hazelnuts or pine nuts or sun flower seeds. ( I have only tried these)

1 tbsp oil, preferably olive oil.

Method:

Trim sprouts and halve larger ones.

Chop bacon.

Heat oil in non stick frying pan.

Add sprouts and bacon, cover, cook for 10 minutes.

Shake pan occasionally to prevent sticking.

Add nuts and cook on high heat for 2 minutes.

Stir continuously . Ensure sprouts are tender