Dates to Remember
| Fri 11 Jan | Preston Village Society – Christmas Party – Village Hall – 7.00pm |
| Wed 16 Jan | Parish Council Meeting – Village Hall – 8.00pm |
| Fri 18 Jan | Community Book Swap – Village Hall – 10.30-11.00am |
| Sun 20 Jan | Deadline for the February 2019 newsletter |
NHDC Local Plan Main Modifications Consultation
Preston Parish Council would like to inform residents that the consultation on the Main Modifications to the NHDC Local Plan will be held between Thursday 3 January and Thursday 14 February. The Main Modifications are amendments to the plan suggested by the Inspector following the hearings which took place last year.
The Consultation can be found on the NHDC website: www.north-herts.gov.uk/localplan, then follow the links to Main Modifications and the Consultation. All North Hertfordshire residents are welcome to respond to the consultation, regardless of whether they have responded to previous consultations on the Local Plan.
Preston Open Gardens
Meta, Liz and I would like a volunteer or two to join us at our meetings when we start to organise the open gardens for 2019.
We 3 will be retiring from the organisation of this event after the open gardens day in 2020.
In order to keep this popular event continuing, this would be an opportunity for someone new to see exactly what is done before the event.
We usually only have 2 meetings early in the year and 1 after the open day. Please contact either Meta 456567, Liz 433859 or Pam 422315 if you would like to get involved.
Preston Village Society
Please make a note in your diary for our Christmas Party which will be held on Friday 11 January at 7.00pm in the Village Hall. Details will be sent on a flier.
St Martin’s Church And All Saints’ Church Services
| January | Service | Sidesman | Reader | |
| 6th | 10.00am | Epiphany | Liz Hunter | Carolyn Graham |
| Isaiah 60:1-6, RCL p. 38 Gospel:Matthew 2:1-12 Intercessions: Meta Reeves Chalice: Liz Hunter | ||||
| 13th | 9.30am | Malcolm Lowle | Anna Lawson | |
| Isaiah 43:1-7, RCL p.773 Gospel: Luke 3:15-17,21-22 Intercessions: Hugh Reeves Chalice: Di Blockley | ||||
| 11.00am | Holy Communion at All Saints’ | |||
| 20th | 8am | Holy Communion (BCP) at All Saints’ | ||
| 9.30am | Andy Cole | Paul Constantinidi | ||
| Isaiah 62:1-5, RCL p.776 Gospel: John 2:1-11 Intercessions: Doreen Sansom Chalice: Meta Reeves | ||||
| 11.00am | Family Service at All Saints’ | |||
| 27th | 9.30am | Richard Blockley | Hugh Reeves | |
| Nehemiah 8:1-3,5-6,8-10 RCLp.779 Gospel:Luke 4:14-21 Intercessions: Meta Reeves Chalice: Carolyn Hill | ||||
| 11.00am | Holy Communion at All Saints’ | |||
| February | ||||
| 3rd | 10.00am | Candlemas | Richard Gill | Jenny Mason |
| Malachi 3:1-5 RCL p.60 Gospel: Luke 2:22-40 Intercessions: Hugh Reeves Chalice: Dawn Jenkins | ||||
NB From November 2018 until March 2019 inclusive the service on the first Sunday in the month will be held at St Martin’s Preston at 10.00am. There will be NO SERVICE AT ALL SAINTS’.
Weekday services in Whitwell:
Alternate Wednesdays 9.30am Holy Communion Lime Tree House
9th, 23rd January
Stagenhoe – 23rd January 11.00am Holy Communion
St Martin’s Church 120 Club
For the December draw in the 2018/19 120 Club there is an extra winner drawn from members who have not won in the past 5 years. The winners (£30 each) were:
| No. 10 | Mrs H C Constantinidi |
| No. 117 | Mr T Hunter |
| No. 18 | Mrs M T Drumm |
A Letter From a Member of The St Martin’s Congregation
Dear All,
Epiphany. 6th January. The day when, traditionally, all Christmas decorations are removed – unless excessive needle drop has already made an early departure of the Christmas tree necessary! More importantly, the day celebrates the time when the true identity of the baby Jesus was revealed to the wise men from the East. These men, who were the foremost astrologers/astronomers of their day came, probably, from Babylon and had travelled 550 miles to Jerusalem. What made them undertake such an arduous journey? In the fascinating book by Colin R Nicholl called The Great Christ Comet we learn that the Magi in their studies of the sky found a full celestial nativity drama focused on the constellation Virgo and a great comet that seemed to travel down her ‘body’ and emerge from it. The author also shows how a comet, rather than a ‘star’ could pinpoint a single dwelling like the one in Bethlehem. It is truly amazing to think that the One who ‘fixed the heavens’ in their orbits did so that, at just the right time, in just the right place, signs appeared which showed to the Magi – and ultimately to us all – the wonder of the birth of the Christ child, Immanuel, God with us.
January is for many a month when resolutions are made – promises to ourselves or others to either rectify the “bad” habits that we have acquired during the year/s or the good intentions that we have had but never came to fruition. During the parish Advent course (which continues until the end of January, see note) we have talked about God’s promises that He made from the very beginning of the world and how they have been fulfilled and will be fulfilled one by one. There are no empty promises from God! We have had lively discussions on how we ourselves make promises and have good intentions – and so often fail. For example, our personal notes on Christmas cards “We must get together soon”….. or how we sometimes make promises to our children that are soon forgotten …. Perhaps this is the year when we can fulfill our good intentions whatever they may be? So, should we ‘take up’ rather than ‘give up’ during the coming year???
As we wait for the right person to be appointed to be vicar of St Paul’s Walden with Preston we are fortunate to have the help of visiting priests, both familiar and new to us. Church services can therefore continue as before and these will include Family services and Songs of Praise. All this is possible much thanks to our Reader Dawn and the churchwardens Tim and Malcolm. Many thanks to them for all they do.
Happy New Year,
Meta
Church Cleaning
The church is cleaned on the first Tuesday of every month starting at 4.00pm. Anyone wishing to assist please contact Margaret Cashin 420073
Neighbourhood Watch
The number to contact at North Herts Police for all non-emergencies (including witnessing of fly-tipping) is 101 or 01707 354000.
For removal of fly tipping which has already occurred, call NHDC 01462 474000 or online at www.north-herts.gov.uk, then follow the links to Transport and Streets, Street Cleaning and Fly Tipping where there is a form to complete to report the details.
PC Matt Jenkins and PCSO Heather Burrows can be contacted regarding local community issues. Their contact details are as follows:
PC Matt Jenkins: 07736 225349 or 01438 757604
PCSO Heather Burrows: 07847 364955 or 01438 757604 or heather.burrows@herts.pnn.police.uk
In the event of an emergency or if you witness a crime taking place please call 999.
Community Book Swap
For a trial period from January to March 2019, the Community Book Swap will be held on the first and third Fridays of the month from 10.30 to 11.00 in the village hall. There are plenty of books so it is not essential to bring a book to swap.
Carols At The Red Lion
Thank you to everyone who supported the carols at the Red Lion on 21 December 2018. £200 was raised for the Garden House Hospice.
Promises, Promises
The Advent/post Christmas study course continues
Come and join us for a fun and lively discussion, as over four weeks on a Wednesday afternoon from 2-3pm, we dig deeper into four promises with traditional Advent and post Christmas themes that were either realised in the coming of Christ or that await fulfilment in his coming again.
| January 9th | A personal promise @ 50 Hornhill, Whitwell |
| January 16th | A surprising promise @ Crunnells Green House, Preston |
| January 23rd | An enduring promise @ 50 Hornhill, Whitwell |
| January 30th | An answered promise @ Crunnells Green House, Preston |
A Traditional Burns Supper In Whitwell
Come and celebrate the genius of Robert Burns on Saturday 26 January at the New Fellowship Hall in Whitwell. Piper, Band, Supper, Dancing and Entertainment plus a complimentary dram to those who don highland dress!
Tickets £25 available from Whitwell Post Office and Stores.