Every day from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday we will be posting extracts from our Easter drama, Company on the Road, written by Mary Gibson, here on the website and also on social media. Each evening we will post some questions to reflect on, along with the video.
The story of Jesus’ last week is told by his friends, disciples, bystanders and other key witnesses, from his entry into Jerusalem on a donkey, to his death and the Resurrection on Easter Sunday.
Follow the story here and find us on social media:
Farnham man Paul Eggleton (pictured below) has started his ‘cycle ride’ from John O’Groats to Land’s End to raise money for both the parish and Alzheimer’s Society, but without leaving his house.
On April 1 he started the ‘journey’ on his exercise bike, ‘travelling’ about 20 km a day, so the 1,550km will take him approximately 10 weeks. Today, April 11, he reached Dingwall and will be in Inverness tomorrow.
This is a peculiarly lockdown-style fundraising event. Paul says: “I started to use an exercise bike and thought this would be a good way of getting fit and raising money for charity, as we can’t actually get out and do much at the moment.
“I chose the two charities because I see Alzheimer’s as one of the biggest challenges for an aging population and finding a cure would immeasurably improve life for older people, and the St John’s Church tower has crumbling stonework which comes from being nearly 200 years old. It’s a lovely north Farnham landmark and we want to preserve it.”
This week we welcomed students from Farnham Heath End School to St John’s on the National Day of Reflection on March 23, when they tied ribbons in the churchyard and lit candles in the church in memory of all the people who have died in the past year and in support of those who have been bereaved.
Eight students visited the church on behalf of all students in the secondary school on the day which marked the first anniversary of lockdown.
Leo, a year eight student, said: “It is important to remember that this disease has claimed so many lives and left so many families distraught. I don’t know if we took all the right actions to minimise the loss of life. If this was ever to happen again we should remember these times and try to learn from them.”
Dan Conquer, assistant principal at the school, said: “A year ago we could not have comprehended the loss of life on the scale we have seen and so many families affected. Our students were very reflective as we all considered the events of the past year. Being at the church was a really poignant opportunity to mark that. Our thanks go to St John’s for organising this event.”
St John’s was also open for the three days from March 21 to 23 so that people could visit to tie ribbons on the trees and light candles inside in memory of those who have died.
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A National Day of Reflection is taking place on March 23, the anniversary of the start of the first lockdown. The parish is marking the day by offering special services on the Sunday before – March 21.
At the services there will be a chance to reflect on the year and in particular to remember those who have died during the past 12 months. There will be prayers and yellow ribbons for people to tie in the churchyards in memory of those who have died. Many who have lost a friend or family member will not have been able to attend the funeral service, making the process of grieving more difficult.
Lesley Crawley said: “On March 23 it will be a year since the start of the first lockdown. We had no idea then how tough it would be or that a year on we would be in our third national lockdown.
“It has been a time of great anxiety and for many great grief as they have lost family and friends and may not even have been able to attend their funerals. The church is there to offer support and one way is through our services which we hold both in person in the churches – we have Covid regulations in place – and online. You don’t have to believe in God to come in and seek peace and comfort – the church is for everyone.”
The church services on March 21 will be at St John’s, Hale, at 9.30am, St George’s, Badshot Lea, at 10am and St Mark’s, Upper Hale, at 11am. There will also be a service on the website from 9am.
Thank you to everyone who entered the Farnham Lockdown Poetry Festival. We had 56 entries from adults and children alike, with ages ranging from eight to 80+ and lots of strong feelings about the struggles of lockdown, but also the togetherness and the hope that people have found, despite all the difficulties.
and a video of some of the poems being read is available below. Also, though it was almost impossible to choose between the poems, a decision was finally made and the Mayor of Farnham announced the winners in the video.
The winning poems are:
Adults
Winner
Two Lockdowns A Lifetime Apart
The Second World War began when I was just four The Coventry Blitz was like a firestorm from hell Later that week I burst into tears when I saw My toy shop Owen Owen was a burnt out shell
Rationing, conscription and lights blackened at night This was a long lockdown lasting almost six years Countless houses and buildings laid waste was our plight Near half a million deaths left many in tears
Seventy-five years later in twenty-twenty Few people can claim they saw what was now coming A virus takes hold to disrupt years of plenty As it spreads round the world the I-phones are humming
This invisible virus now needed a plan The instinct in shock is to gather together But to widespread dismay a new lockdown began Keep two metres apart at all times wherever
With deaths quickly rising and restrictions imposed Stay at home, avoid friends and even relations All but food shops were shuttered and schools were all closed Wedding parties were banned and all celebrations
I worry my age group holds the country in thrall We are lucky to have lived so long to this age It is we who must be careful and should now call For the economy to be let out of its cage
Being twice locked down it is all but in tatters The outlook for young people is truly blighted Surely for their sakes alone all that now matters Is that their futures be quickly reignited
John Littlewood
Runner up:
Love Your Neighbour As Yourself
Love Your Neighbour as Yourself, through screen or window, darkly. Muffled, crackled, frozen. ’Help!’ ‘Can you hear me?’ Hardly.
Love Your Neighbour as Yourself, through greying hair and slowing hours. Dull repetition, same old heft, grace of God in breeze or showers.
Love Your Neighbour as Yourself, but what means as and how fares Self? We are God’s hands but when My Self, when love poured out soon threatens Self?
Love Your Neighbour as Yourself, when sacrifice is hellish hard. Exhaustion beckons, ‘Pain! Now quell!’ and chaos reigns in your backyard.
Love Your Neighbour as Yourself, wash the bodies, dig the graves. Tender care the greatest wealth, tears of love for all they gave.
Love Your Neighbour as Yourself, desist from posting online hate. Don’t bully, scam or hurt by stealth, or suicide might be their fate.
Love Your Neighbour as Yourself, when home-penned folk cry out in pain. When tempers flare, without behest, ‘When will we see our friends again?’
Love Yourself as Neighbour, Blessed, when out of work graph rises steep. Everyone needs better, best, for damaged mental health wounds, deep.
Love Yourself as Neighbour, Blessed, vaccines roll out to the people. Schools return and wedding guests, bells will ring from tower or steeple.
Love Yourself as Neighbour, Blessed, pubs reopen, shops restock. Meet with friends and family,’ Yes!!’, hugs, kisses, treats, as doors unlock.
Love Yourself as Neighbour, Blessed, when loved ones’ deaths have maimed you. Remember humour, chuckling chest, tearful teas and talk refold you.
Love Yourself as Neighbour, Blessed, Please keep the distance, wear the mask. Do take the vaccine, take the test, washing hands not much to ask.
Love Yourself as Neighbour, Blessed, make time to think and time to rest. Properly to think ‘No stress!’ how love of Self confers the best.
Love Yourself as Neighbour, Blessed, clamouring calls you can resist. Your self-care struggle now confessed, put Your needs first in To Do list.
Wendy Edwards
Children:
Winner
A Lockdown Poem
Schools have closed Working from home Missing family and friends Will this ever end? Doing lots of calls Kitchens into school Whether it’s computer or phone Everything happened at home Clapping for heroes Rainbows on the windows Watching the news Feeling confused People staying in Why is that a thing? Having lots of bubbles Missing lots of cuddles Staying with your household If it’s hot or cold Lots of things have stopped Many bubbles have popped But we’re staying safe at home And are never really alone.
Matilda Bowden (9)
Runner-up
Coronavirus
Coronavirus has wrecked all of our lives Oh how I wish I could punch it Rage takes over me and I cannot control it| On the inside I have pain Now is the time we fight Anger is the only feeling I can feel Vans with deliveries come by, wishing us luck I had covid and I don’t want it to come back Run, for covid is here Understand me please I can’t take this pain anymore Stand with me, we will defeat it together
Mother’s Day is not easy for everyone. If that is the case for you, the meditation below may be helpful. It has been prepared by Lesley Shatwell and its focus is Loving Kindness. Be kind to yourself.
Everyone is welcome at our Mothering Sunday services this Sunday – March 14.
There will be services in each of the churches – and daffodils for mothers and other special women in our lives – as well as online.
The services in the churches are at 9.30am at St John’s, Hale; 10am at St George’s, Badshot Lea; and 11am at St Mark’s. The services are Covid secure, but please follow all guidelines.
An online service will be here from 9am and on Facebook from 10am.
Mothering Sunday is not just about mothers but about the love of God too, as Lesley Crawley explains: “Mothering Sunday is a chance to say a special thank-you to mothers, grandmothers and other important women in our lives who have given us love and support. It also reminds us that we have a loving God who cares for us more deeply than we can ever begin to imagine.”
Surrey wine company Wine&Something has survived and thrived in lockdown – and has a special offer for readers.
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Fuelled by the spirit and determination of an underdog, the company changed brand name and created a unique positioning to be relevant to the general public. The result is Wine&Something – a brand and website that was conceived and created during lockdown, launched in September 2020.
Wine&Something promises to bring ‘wow’ to the wine lives of customers across the UK. How? By bringing them a unique collection of 300 indie wines from 75 artisan producers across 12 countries. This is about taking people on a journey of discovery – which is why 85% of its portfolio is exclusive to Wine&Something in the UK. Oh – and 100% of the wines are selected by world-class Master of Wine, Robin Kick.
If you’re looking for a fun-filled evening with friends, Wine&Something offer a variety of virtual wine tastings with a choice of entertaining and knowledgeable hosts, including their Master of Wine. Wines are delivered to you in advance. Average cost £75 (includes 4-6 full sized bottles)
Wine&Something would like to treat the lovely people of Badshot Lea and Hale with a 10% discount on your first order using the code BL&H10. www.wineandsomething.com
Spring is looking more colourful at St George’s thanks to a donation from local garden centre Squire’s of Badshot Lea.
Always a generous friend of the community, Squire’s gave us a selection of bedding plants to brighten up the churchyard. Kris, Maxine and Bill have already planted them and they are adding to the very welcome sense of Spring.
Serving the Villages North of Farnham: Badshot Lea, Hale, Heath End & Weybourne
The Parish of Badshot Lea and Hale 