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.
Based in Guildford, Surrey, Wine&Something is the story of a brand built in lockdown. Having only established itself a year earlier and exclusively serving the trade industry before COVID-19 struck, the company knew it had to change journey, after losing 100% of its income, and reinvent itself as a consumer brand – quickly!
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.
North Farnham Voice – Farnham Infrastructure Plan Update
The draft Optimised Infrastructure Plan was issued for public consultation on the February 15 and the consultation finishes on March 14 so there isn’t much time. So the consultation is really short.
There are some set questions against each of the summary pages for the different areas of the town but there is also a comments section that can be used for each area.
There are also three virtual meetings being planned by the team running the programme which residents can participate in.
Thursday, March 4, 6.30pm: Local Liaison Forum Monday, March 8, 6.30pm: Local Liaison Forum Wednesday, March 10, 6.30pm: Businesses in Farnham.
There have been a couple of Zoom meetings of members of the North Farnham Voice Group and some useful exchanges on the North Farnham Voice Facebook page which have identified that the key concern from a North Farnham perspective is that there is no defined link between options to pedestrianise the town centre, which would close off the A325 and A287 through the town centre, and how the displaced traffic would be mitigated.
The areas of highest impact will be in North Farnham. There are also concerns about the combined impact of displaced traffic and the significant additional housing development planned in the towns around Farnham. The map below summarises the concern.
There are also issues raised at the North Farnham Local Liaison Forum meeting on January 6, such as rejecting the idea of no right turn from the Upper Hale Road on to Alma Lane, which are still in the proposals and need to be commented on again. There are also some proposals that have been well received by those involved in the North Farnham Voice group and others that lack clarity or have had a mixed response.
The second issue of the North Farnham Voice leaflet has been prepared and is being distributed, and you can download a copy here.
Please spread the word about this consultation. There is still an opportunity to influence what is studied in the next phase that is what this consultation is for. If people say nothing, then those running the Farnham Infrastructure Programme will assume all is well and that the proposals are supported. Please do engage in this consultation as the outcome of this Infrastructure Programme will have an impact on Farnham for decades to come.
There is lots of discussion on the North Farnham Voice Facebook page if you wish to share thoughts and ideas with the local community you are welcome to join – https://www.facebook.com/groups/northfarnhamvoice
Mothering Sunday is on March 14 and we will be holding special services in church and online. What’s more, we need your help.
If there is a new baby in the family who was born during the pandemic, we’d love to include a picture in our online service. Please do send a picture of your little one to Alan Crawley.
Also, could you video your young children recording a message saying ‘I love you Mummy’ or something similar? Again, we’d love to put that in the online service so please send your video to Alan.
We will also be holding services in church with daffodils for mothers and other special people, and lots to get all ages involved.
We have taken precautions to keep our churches Covid-secure (please follow the guidelines) and we welcome you all to the services which 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.
The March issue of the parish magazine is out with plenty to read inside: Lent, Easter, Mothering Sunday, school news, our new florist who moves into St Mark’s at the start of the month, exciting news about the Kitty Milroy murals and Emily the organ, prayer, news from the parish and the local MP, the Church Cat and lots more.
You can find the magazine below. But if you would like a paper copy, please let us know by emailing Anne Young: ah_young33@hotmail.com
The cover price of the magazine is £10 for the year which pays for the editorial costs. We would be grateful if those accessing it online would pay £1 an issue. You can pay by clicking on the button below:
Have you written your poem for the Farnham Lockdown Poetry Festival? Entries should be in by the end of tomorrow.
Send your poems about being in lockdown – whatever you feel, whatever your experience – to Lesley Crawley either by email or to her at The Rectory, 25 Upper Hale Road, Farnham GU9 0NX.
Adults and children alike are welcome to send in their poems on the theme of lockdown. The Mayor has offered a prize for the best adult and best child one but don’t worry if you don’t think you are the world’s greatest poet – just give it a go!
If you want some ideas, listen to this lockdown poem by Harry Baker:
