St Andrew's Church in Congresbury, North Somerset

VIEWPOINT

The Parish Magazine of St. Andrew's Church, Congresbury

“Bringing Christ’s Light into the heart of our community.”

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“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 10:10:-

OBITUARY – BRIDGET COLQUHOUN

A lifetime of service to children throughout the world and to the local community was reflected in the celebration of the life of Bridget Colquhoun in St. Andrew’s church, Congresbury, last month.

Clergy from the diocese were among the large congregation for the service, which was conducted by the vicar of Congresbury, Rev. Matthew Thomson, and a tribute to Bridget, who died at the age of 94, was given by the former vicar, Rev. Richard Salmon.

Born in the Isle of Wight, Bridget came to Congresbury as a young teenager, when her father, Rev. Robert Colquhoun was appointed vicar, and for eight years her bedroom was the little room over the porch of the Refectory.

When her father retired and left the village, she retained a base in Congresbury with her lifelong friend, Jean Day.

Bridget trained as a nurse at Bristol General Hospital, qualifying as a State Registered Nurse and subsequently as a midwife, and, after training at the Westminster Hospital, became a qualified health visitor, as she wanted to prevent disease.

During the Second World War, she applied to become an army nurse, but was turned down as there were sufficient nurses and she worked as a sister in a Bristol surgical ward throughout the Blitz.

After the war she joined the Red Cross and spent four years in North Borneo, training local nurses after the Japanese had left, and living in a palm hut on stilts.

Her overseas work continued, with two years in the Gambia and three years in Cyprus.

She was asked to go to Kenya for a short period after the Mau Mau, but stayed for nearly eight years, caring for children whose parents had gone to join the freedom fighters.

When a Government doctor opened a home for 120 disabled children, just outside Nairobi, she joined as administrator. She always retained her contact with Congresbury, spending her leave in the village, and the church sent financial support to the Kenya children’s home

Her work abroad was recognised by the awards she received, including the M.B.E., the Red Cross service medal, the Florence Nightingale medal and the Cyprus medal.

She returned to the U.K. to care for her mother, taking positions as a training officer in the Axbridge division and as a health visitor in Knowle West and Hartcliffe, and finished her working life with a year in Bangladesh.

She became involved in pastoral care, and was appointed the first lay pastor in the diocese of Bath & Wells. She founded an Outlook group in Congresbury for the elderly and housebound, and this continues today.

She taught in the Sunday school, was a teacher in the diocese, receiving a Bath & Wells badge of recognition, and was a member of the Friends of St. Andrew’s church.

A gentle lady, always smiling and full of humour, Bridget retained a youthful outlook and celebrated her 80th birthday with a ride in a hot air balloon.

External Giving - May 2008:

Dear prayer supporters 'I am the vine and you are the branches….' John 15 v 5 We are very conscious of our dependency on the Holy Spirit for the work of One25, and especially at a time of increased publicity and anticipated expansion of our services. Please pray for the Lord’s protection over our reputation in the media – and generally as we are more in the public domain. Pray also that we honour Him in what we are doing.

We focus this month on the van volunteers. Many come from a hard day at work and immediately prepare cake or sandwiches, and then go out on the van until midnight or later. Some have been volunteering in this way for years and have given countless hours. We are grateful for the dedication to all to this work, their willingness to train and listen, and most of all for their practical love for the women.

We give thanks that a new caseworker starts on 2 June, supported for one year with a grant from The Pilgrim Trust.

Naomi House The Trustees have taken the decision to open this supported home for our women who are pregnant or have babies. This is so exciting and such a responsibility. All involved value your prayers immensely – for wisdom in the appointment of the manager, for God's blessing in the finances (key decisions on applications to grant making trusts are due over the next 4 months), for churches and all sorts of people of good-will and compassion to get behind this new project and for inspiration in all aspects of our further planning. We are amazed and grateful for all the financial and other support we have received over the last two years. It has to continue to be a grace and faith venture.

The women: Esther is very ill in hospital and nearly died. We are asking that this experience will prepare her for a new step forward into her recovery and that she will not spiral into despair. Eve had a baby boy who was very premature: please pray he will be OK and that she will be sustained in her resolution to keep clean and stable. She would also appreciate your prayers for her housing situation. At the moment there is nowhere for her and baby to live when he is discharged from hospital. Marie is recently out of prison and is in need of secure accommodation and the energy and hope to prevent a full slide back into chaos. Please pray for her that she will be able to see a future for herself and can access the necessary help to make the changes she has expressed the desire to make.

Village News for April- A personal view from Marion Johnson

Village response to the forum, following the residents’ survey, was excellent and the three workshops produced positive suggestions and enthusiasm. Community spirit and pride in our village was the theme for one of these and it will be interesting to see how many people will now do something positive. Every Friday at 4.30pm the millennium green trustees are organising a litter pick of the green and the access points, particularly from the Ship & Castle and the riverside car parks. Will you join them in the Ship & Castle car park this Friday?

Good news on crime in the village was given to the parish council by P.C. Kim Tacchi. In the past year all types of crime, except burglary, have decreased, some, like criminal damage, by more than 50%. But make sure you keep your home secure, as there were 28 burglaries, eight more than the previous year.

Did you assume that when the CCTV camera was installed at the Cross that traffic congestion would be quickly sorted out? North Somerset councillor Tom Leimdorfer informed the annual parish meeting that this is only used when there is a major traffic problem, such as an accident on the M.5 and a diversion through Congresbury. It is not used to sort out local problems.

A huge survey report on our congestion at the traffic lights has just been released and that gives no solution. The only viable options could cost up to £500,000 and North Somerset has no money, as it has been directed to solving the problem at Portishead cabstand. Without any consultation with the parish council, North Somerset is going to install a short bus lane up to the lights, and this will cost £200,000. Parish councillors are not happy with the situation.

At the annual parish meeting a record was given of every parish councillors attendance at meetings. One hundred per cent attendance was registered by Nicky Forrest, Margaret Leimdorfer, Paul Jarvis, Pete Sewell and Ted Sparey, which illustrates that busy people could still fit in additional duties. Robin Retter has agreed to go back on the council, but that still leaves four vacancies. Can we find four busy people in the village who will volunteer?

Paul Jarvis has temporarily taken over as village Webmaster after Frank Feeney’s resignation, but a permanent replacement is needed. The website is used a great deal, not only locally but by former residents living abroad. It is important that this vital communication continues.

Change of ownership at Costcutters could herald a new look in the shop. The Patel family from Bristol have taken over and Barry Patel is manager and will shortly be living above the shop.

Village View

Marion Johnson

Calling all Carers

There are over 50,000 carers in Somerset and there must be many in this parish. These are the unsung heroes who look after elderly, infirm relatives, neighbours and friends - many 24 hours 7 days a week. They save the government literally billions of pounds by keeping those they look after out of hospital and homes and get little, if any, help from the Government. It is known that many feel isolated and suffer from stress…….now help is at hand!

St John Ambulance and Somerset County Council have joined forces to provide free Carer Support Programmes at venues across the County which bring carers together in a relaxed atmosphere to teach them skills that will help them better cope with their daily tasks. Amongst other subjects they will learn: Care and First Aid at home, Safe Handling and Prevention of Falls, Managing Continence, Stress Management and Relaxation and receive Benefits Advice.

The courses are run over four mornings across four or five weeks between 10.30am and 1.30pm and include a free lunch. There is also a free sitting service for those who find it hard to leave the ones they care for.

Hundreds of carers have already benefited this year and following the courses many have set up groups to share friendship and experiences together in the future.

To find out more and receive a schedule of courses please call Jude Glide, Carer Development Manager, St. John Ambulance on 01823 345920 or visit the St. John website

Take on a Flower Bed for the season

There are 7 Church flower beds that need someone to love them! (By the vicarage and Refectory, and some in the Prayer Garden). If you would like to take on the care of one or more of the beds – planting up, tending and watering over the spring, summer and autumn – then please contact Cherida (01934 832188).

Sponsor or contribute to the flowers in church

There is also opportunity for people to make a donation towards the Church flowers on a specific weekend - to commemorate a loved one, or a special anniversary. Or you can help with, or take on doing, the arrangements for a specific date.

If you would like to know more, please contact Jan Denley (01934 833123).