Protecting the ground nesters of Greenham

Issue 16 March 2010
Protecting
the ground nesters of Greenham
By Katty Baird
Spring is in the air! At last the weather is warming and our birds are getting down
to the business of breeding. We are lucky to have some great nature reserves
around Newbury: Snelsmore Common, Bowdown Woods, Thatcham Reedbeds
and Inkpen Hill, to name but a few. These are home to many wild plants and
animals - some quite rare - all of which need protection so they can thrive and be
enjoyed by us all.
Skylark singing from a post
by Sherie New
Military Base to Wildlife Haven
Greenham Common is well known to many as a former military base and site of
the women's peace camps of the late 1960s. However, it is also a haven for
wildlife and home to a great variety of animals from small blue butterflies and
adders to barn owls and badgers. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI),
forming part of the last remaining fragments of lowland heath that once covered
this part of England, a habitat that could easily be lost forever without
appropriate protection and management.
Along with the neighbouring
Crookham Common the site is now owned and managed by West Berkshire
Council (WBC). The site also forms part of the West Berkshire Living Landscape,
an initiative led by the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) and aiming
to making local countryside a better place for wildlife and people.
Disturbance at the nest
With the arrival of spring, focus is turned to the birds that nest on the common,
some species migrating from as far afield as Africa to raise their chicks here.
Greenham and Crookham Commons support small but nationally significant
numbers of nightjar, woodlark and Dartford warbler and are an important nesting
site for other endangered birds such as lapwing, little ringed plover and skylark.
These birds (with the exception of Dartford warbler) build their nests on the
ground. Eggs, chicks and brooding adults are well camouflaged in their
surroundings and very difficult to spot. Whilst helping the birds to avoid natural
predation, it also means nests are easily disturbed by people as they unknowingly
venture too close. If the brooding bird is flushed from the nest, the eggs or chicks
are left much more vulnerable to predation or chilling. In some places, there are
reports of crows waiting close to nests and swooping in for an easy meal as soon
as the parent bird flies away.
(Continued on page 7)
The Church of England in Thatcham
A well-camouflaged Nightjar
by Neil Aldridge
Woodlark
by BBOWT
This month…
A VISION FOR OUR CHURCHES
We thought it would be helpful to share
with you the vision for the Oxford Diocese
which is being implemented over the coming years. We feel
that ‘Living Faith’ offers us an excellent framework for
thinking about our own parish and how we continue to
develop and grow as a ‘vibrant Christian community’.
We hear a lot of doom and gloom about the state of the
Church in Britain – the papers will tell you that the church
is in free fall decline and has lost its voice in an
increasingly secular society. But the truth is that the
church is very much alive and kicking and, despite all the
changes and challenges that must be faced, we can see
with our own eyes that the Christian faith is relevant to
people’s lives.
develop in a changing culture. This is the ‘Living Faith for
the future’ initiative and includes all sorts of resources
and ideas which parishes can use if they wish to. The
Bishop of Oxford who is the driving force behind Living
Faith says that this initiative is not about ‘doing more’, but
‘doing differently’ – it’s about helping churches to
evaluate what will help them to flourish and grow in their
own location and context.
In Thatcham we can see that church attendance
increasing; we see the number of baptisms as strong as
ever, we see people keen to do the Alpha course. We
have young people exploring the Christian faith, going to
Soul Survivor, being confirmed… We have a Christian
presence in our local schools – a really strong presence in
our Secondary school thanks to Pete - and we meet eighty
or so young people a week at the youth club. Countless
mums and toddlers gather every Wednesday and enjoy
hearing bible stories and singing together – they like
coming to church. In these and many other ways we can
see with our own eyes that the Christian faith is meeting
real needs and engaging with people’s concerns and
desires.
Bishop John describes Living Faith as being rather like a
palette of colours which each parish can use in their own
way to create that work of distinctive beauty which is
their particular response to God's mission. He says, ‘What
we end up with then is a gallery full not of look-alike
paintings, but of vibrant, colourful and unique works of
art.’
So in Thatcham we are excited to see that the Oxford
Diocese is supporting the work we are already doing by
setting out a vision for how churches can grow and
The vision he sets out is a helpful picture of what the
church, in all its diversity, exists to do. It does contain
some jargon – apologies for that – but I hope as you read
this summary you will be able to imagine the ways in
which we in Thatcham can continue to build our own
vibrant Christian community.
The Living Faith vision is based on five key areas which are
summarised here. If you wish to read the full document
and see what resources are being produced visit the
Diocese of Oxford website or see the coverage in ‘The
Door’. (Thatcham is likely to feature in a new DVD being
produced as part of Living Faith programme – filming will
take place here towards the end of April. I’ll keep you
posted!)
The Living Faith vision
1.
Sustaining the sacred centre
This is about encouraging and enabling clergy and lay
people to deepen their enjoyment of God, and to
recognize God's presence in everyday life. If you look at
the diagram you will see that this lies at the centre of
everything. The ‘sacred centre’ is not simply about the
church as a place of prayer and worship, but is better
understood as being about our relationship with God and
how this can be encouraged and sustained. So ‘sustaining
the sacred centre’ is about deepening the life of prayer
and worship, enjoying our God-given creativity, and using
Page 2
imagination and creativity to breathe new life in to
cherished ways of doing things.
2.
Making disciples
This is about the core task left to us by Jesus. It usually takes
the form of accompanying people on a journey to faith by
the intentional use of nurture courses, mentoring, the
catechumenate (an ancient approach to accompanied
journeying), or simple friendship.
3.
Making a difference in the world
This is about recognising that in a holistic understanding of
God's action in the world, there is no mission without social
justice; that social justice and prophetic witness cannot be
put in a box as a specialism or an extra, but is at the heart of
the calling of every Christian community in its own context.
In other words, we are here to address practical needs and
concerns as well as spiritual ones.
4.
Shaping confident, collaborative
leadership
This is about developing leadership using all the resources
available to the local church. It would involve consolidation
in some parishes and new work in others to build up shared
ministry in teams, with appropriate training and support. In
many parishes this will involve working more intentionally
on the setting up, shaping and supporting of lay people in
ministry teams.
5.
Creating vibrant Christian communities
This is about shaping 'communities of grace' which exhibit
the character of Jesus. Such attractive communities are
genuinely hospitable, deeply engaged with their
communities, and passionate about God. It is very easy for
any organisation or group to get stuck in a rut and to do
things just because they have always been done. To be a
‘vibrant Christian community’ means having the courage to
let go of what is stale or unhelpful, being clear about what
really matters, and not taking ourselves too seriously! PCCs
have a role to play in helping churches to take an honest
look at themselves, but it is probably true to say that vibrant
Christian communities develop naturally where the ‘sacred
centre’ is nurtured and enlivened by sincere and faithful prayer.
THE LIVING FAITH
PRAYER
Gracious God,
you call us to a living faith in
the future
as well as in the present;
open our eyes to the
opportunities before us
in our parishes and deaneries,
and in the daily discipleship of
our own lives.
May we sustain and nourish
our inner lives,
so that we can serve others
effectively,
and offer to all people the
transforming love
of Jesus Christ our risen Lord.
Amen
So this vision from the diocese, with its helpful reminder of what it means to be the church, will help to shape our
thinking and to guide our decision-making as we seek to grow and flourish over the months and years to come.
Becky Bevan
I’ve always been clear in my own mind that the health of our diocese lies not
at the centre, but in the vitality and imagination of the local parish or arena
of ministry. What we have attempted to do with ‘Living Faith’ is to provide a
vision, and a set of priorities, to help you frame your thinking as you live out
your faith together.
Bishop John
Page 3
Mission support
2010
Travelling
with the Psalms in Lent
Over the last 12 months we have raised £400 for the work
of the USPG: Anglicans in World Mission. This is the result
of Marion’s annual ‘cream teas’ and collecting in USPG
globes. The parish supports, in particular, Peter and Susan
Rivett at the Mapanza Mission in the Southern Province
of Zambia. This is the oldest mission station in the
Diocese of Lusaka. Peter is a school chaplain, parish priest
and the Archdeacon of Southern Zambia. In his mission
report for Easter 2009, Peter noted that the congregation
cannot fit into the church so the Service is held in the
nearby graveyard. He used to do baptisms in the service
on Easter Sunday but they have started to baptise at a
separate time by immersion which entails a procession to
a nearby river (no crocodiles!) and the two priests waded
in and between them baptised 140 people aged 12 to 25.
Donations for the Children’s Society for 2009 reached the
magnificent total of £799.95 through both Christingle
Services at St Mary’s and St Barnabas and from collecting
boxes. This money goes to help the Society and its
networks of centres and projects to deliver specialist
services for children who face disaster and danger in their
daily lives; children who are unable to find the support
they need elsewhere.
Please support the missions adopted by St Mary’s and St
Barnabas through Cream Teas, Christingle and by taking a
collecting globe or box. Both are available from Ann or
Chris Watts at the Parish Office. Give a ring! We deliver
and collect!
The Psalms are our guides through the journey of Lent
this year and we are exploring their rich vein of insight
into our relationship with God both in the Sunday services
and in our house groups.
In March we will also have three evening services that will
continue this exploration into our faith through the
Psalms. At the 6.30pm Evening Services on March 7th,
14th and 21st we will concentrate on the wonderful
variety of emotions that reading the Psalms can produce
for us and show how they are so relevant even today. The
services will different – the first on the 7th will be Sung
Evensong, the second on the 14th will be a quiet
reflective service and the third (21st) will be an Iona
service usually held at the URC Church but this time it will
be in St. Mary’s.
This is a chance to spend time reflecting on one of the
most fascinating and enlightening parts of the Bible. Why
not do this little extra during Lent!
Mothering Sunday
at St. Mary’s
Mothering Sunday is on March 14th and this will mean
that we shall change the All Age Eucharist to that Sunday
from the previous one which will now be a straight
forward Parish Communion. As usual there will be the
Distribution of Flowers during the service.
Chris Watts
What people are saying about having Alexander
Technique lessons?
“Patients who had been trained in the Alexander Technique reported less
pain and an ability to do more by the end of the year” Those who combined
Alexander Technique with exercise improved by 40% to 45%”
Prof.Paul Little Southampton University Back Pain Trial 8/8/2008 B.M.J
on-line.
“I had a course of the Alexander Technique with Tanya Whannell a number
of years ago and found it to be beneficial and instructive. I had the
opportunity to have another sessions recently; it’s relaxing and calming
influence really helped driving a very stressful motorway journey.
Alison Oldaker
“I have a self awareness of my body, relaxation techniques, confidence and
better posture”
“I have a better awareness of how I carry myself stating to say, “not to do”
I have a better awareness of myself I have learnt to “free my neck” most of
the time and to breathe easier”
Page 4
Alexander Technique
lessons for better
posture,
beat back pain (B.M.J
2008).
• Improve digestion and
circulation.
• Support in pregnancy and
childbirth.
• Reduce stress.
Walk taller, breathe better.
Book an appointment with
Tanya Whannell
on 01635 866409
or online at http://
www.whannell.co.uk/
We’re the ‘last’ word
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Pause for Praise
Take a break from the rush
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moments… be still in God’s
peaceful presence… and
praise Him in worship
Every Wednesday evening
8.00pm in St. Mary’s
Call 01635 862223 or 07770 372486 for an appointment
Page 5
Next meeting
Saturday 6th March 8.30 am
Speaker:
John Avery on
Freemasonry
Bookings with Colin Stone
(861325) or Parish Office (862277)
Book Now Bring A
Friend!
Who’s Who in the
Thatcham Team
Ministry
Team Rector
Tom Moffatt
Sunday Services
862616
Team Vicar - St. Barnabas
Pete Jarvis
867336
Curates:
Marion Fontaine
Becky Bevan
Brenda Harland
Services at
St. Mary’s Church
827746
871577
847969
8.00 am
10.00 am
Children’s groups on 2nd, 4th and 5th Sundays at 10 am.
The Parish Communion services on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month
are for people of all ages, especially the young.
6.30
1st Sunday
2nd Sunday
3rd Sunday
4th Sunday
Parish Administrator
Ann Watts
862277
The Parish office is open Monday
& Friday mornings 9.30am to
1.00pm, answer phone at other
times.
Email:
[email protected]
Churchwardens
Chris Druce
Kevin Dunwell
Derreck Lee-Philpot
Morning Services
Holy Communion
Parish Communion
pm Evening Services
Sung Evensong
No service
Iona Worship at the URC
Healing Service
Weekday Services
9.45 am
10.30 am
Wednesdays
Holy Communion
‘ABC’ (Adults, Babies, Children)
9.00 am
Every Weekday
Morning Prayer (In the chapel)
St Mary’s is fitted with an Induction Loop.
If you wear a hearing aid, switch to the ‘T’ position to benefit from the system
865339
865847
290973
www.stmarysthatcham.org.uk
Inspired by the love of Christ to build God’s kingdom
Future copies
Services at
St. Barnabas Church
Connect is published ten
(meeting in Thatcham Park School)
times a year and is available from
St. Mary’s and St. Barnabas
Churches, Thatcham, or by post
from Margaret Barker, tel. 827563.
10.00 am Sunday Services
1st Sunday
2nd Sunday
3rd Sunday
Article Deadline
Please give articles for the April
edition to Steve Rice (860431) or
any of the clergy or churchwardens
or email
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More details from Revd Pete Jarvis 01635 867336
www.stbarnabasthatcham.org.uk
Serving to Build Community
Page 6
GrantScape comes from the Landfill Communities Fund,
which distributes some of the tax paid on waste sent to
landfill sites to environmental projects.
Protecting the ground nesters of Greenham (Continued from
page 1)
The culprits?
Greenham and Crookham Commons are a popular place
to walk dogs. Dogs pose a particular threat to ground
nesting birds as they rarely keep to paths and snuffle
around in undergrowth that is not easily accessible to
people. There are reports from all over the world
suggesting that unleashed dogs can reduce the breeding
success of ground nesting birds by disturbing them on
their nests. However, although dog walkers as a group
are often considered the main culprits, all recreational
users of the countryside can frighten wildlife and affect
their behaviour. Perhaps paradoxically, birdwatchers and
wildlife photographers sometimes (inadvertently) disturb
their subjects as they strive to get good views.
The solution
In order to minimise disturbance to the ground nesting
birds on Greenham and Crookham Commons a number of
measures were introduced during the nesting season last
year, and these will be repeated this year.
• Informative signs - signs will be posted at all
entrances, and next to the main nesting areas
showing visitors which birds are particularly
vulnerable and where the known nesting areas
are.
• Wardens - three wardens have been
employed this year. They will patrol both the
commons and neighbouring Bowdown Woods,
keeping an eye on the welfare of the nesting
birds and answering any queries that visitors
may have.
Part of a Living Landscape
Greenham and Crookham Commons form the core of the
West Berkshire Living Landscape, an initiative led by the
wildlife charity BBOWT and delivered in partnership with
West Berkshire Council. Other important wildlife sites
including Thatcham Reedbeds and Bowdown Woods are
also included in the Living Landscape area. The aim is to
link these existing wildlife hotspots together making a
bigger and better place for nature. Although much of the
Living Landscape site is already owned by the Council or
BBOWT, the initiative is working with the other
landowners, advising on environmentally-friendly ways to
manage their land and ensuring that any future
developments are sympathetic to the needs of local
wildlife.
Come and visit!
April marks the 10th Anniversary of Greenham Common
being officially reopened for public use, following its long
history as a military base. Over the last decade, many
thousands of people have enjoyed fresh air and exercise
here, commoners have continued to exercise their grazing
rights and wildlife has been allowed to flourish. In order
to preserve the commons as a special place for wildlife
and people during the coming decade and beyond, we
need to ensure that the animals and plants that live here
are given the protection they need. Why not come along
to an organised event and find out more? For example
various guided walks are scheduled throughout the spring
and summer, family wildlife explorer days are held during
the school holidays and there is an evening nightjar walk
in June.
• Guided walks - from April regular guided
walks will be held every Saturday morning,
where you can learn more about the common
and its wildlife. Everybody, including dogs on
leads, is welcome to come along.
To find out more either call the
Nature Discovery Centre on 01635 874381
(email [email protected]),
or visit www.bbowt.org.uk .
• Bird Surveys - as well as the ongoing annual
surveys of birds and other wildlife, there will
be a survey specifically to monitor the ground
nesting birds and their success at raising
young.
If you fancy doing something practical,
there is a friendly conservation work party that meets on
the third Sunday of each month.
New faces are always welcome,
visit www.gccv.org.uk
or call 01635 580792
for more details.
These measures have been made possible thanks in part
to a grant to BBOWT from GrantScape. The funding from
“A Talk in the Park”
This short piece is from “Confusions” written by the well-known playwright Alan Ayckbourn and is being presented at
St. Mary’s on Wednesday March 17th by the Newbury Dramatic Society prior to going to the Watermill. Five people
sit in a park - at some point the have taken the wrong turning in life. They talk but does anyone listen?
This is an interesting expression of alone-ness. There will be an open discussion after the piece over a drink.
Page 7
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Page 8
You are invited to:
Sunday
On
Saturday
St Barnabas Church
At: Thatcham Park School
On: Saturday 13th March
From: 4.30pm until 6.00pm
There will be fun, crafts, games
and refreshments; ending with a
short service, songs, stories and
prayers.
Future Dates: 8th May, 10th July
Newbury Choral Society continues
its 125th anniversary season with a
performance of
Haydn - Te Deum
Bach - Violin Concerto No.2 in E
major
Haydn - Harmoniemesse
on Saturday 27th March at 7.30pm
in St Nicolas Church, Newbury
The supreme quality of Haydn’s music is
undisputed - his compositions were admired
by Mozart and he taught Beethoven. So
when our Musical Director, Cathal Garvey,
describes Harmoniemesse as quite simply
the 'crowning glory of Haydn's
compositional life' it is clear that the
audience is in for a treat.
Tickets are £15 for adults and £2 for
children under 16, but if you book through a
choir member we are offering 5 tickets for
the price of 4, so just £12 a ticket. It is sure
to be another popular event so contact me
as soon as possible to book your seat.
As if this were not enticing enough, the
programme includes another of Haydn's
works, Te Deum, and Bach's Violin Concerto
No 2 in E Major for good measure.
Professional soloists and the region's
leading orchestra, Southern Sinfonia,
complete the ingredients for what is sure to
be a memorable evening.
For more information visit our website
on www.newburychoral.org.uk
Greening Thatcham
Politicians failed to reach agreement on measures
to prevent climate change at the Copenhagen
summit last December. This was a setback for
those who believe it is really important for an
international agreement to be reached. On top of
that, emails from scientists at the University of
East Anglia have caused a debate about the way
in which scientists work and communicate, and
have given the so-called “climate change
sceptics” an opportunity to damage the fragile
acceptance amongst the general public that
something must be done. All in all, the overall campaign in this country has
taken a bit of a knock.
But we must not be down-hearted. The big lesson from Copenhagen was that
politicians cannot do this on their own. They need all of us to demonstrate our
support for the cause by asking ourselves where we stand on it, and
committing to take action ourselves. The UEA episode shows that scientists
are not perfect, and they could do with a bit more openness and scrutiny. But
when that happens, the message will be the same: climate change is being
caused by human behaviour and we must change that behaviour quickly to
preserve many of the beautiful characteristics of our planet.
So what can we do? Here in Thatcham we can support the Greening
Thatcham Campaign. The date for the launch has now been set for
Saturday 15th May at Thatcham Park School. Please put the date in your
diary and come along. The planning is well advanced and several groups have
signed up to create stalls or activities that demonstrate the 8 challenges that
we will be issuing to every house, but we still need a few more.
On the day we will need fetchers and carriers, tea and coffee providers, and a
first aider to be on hand. Then, in the days after the launch, we will need a
small army of people to help to distribute the challenge cards.
If you can help please speak to any member of the clergy or of the PCC, or
speak to me in person or by phone, or send me an email. Let's show the world
that here in Thatcham, we care!
Richard Foster; [email protected], 01635 869818,
www.thatchamgoodlife.org.uk
For Mothering Sunday 2010 (14 March) Mothers' Union is running an ethical
gift campaign, where you can send a Mothering Sunday card with the
wonderful gift of an ethical donation to Mothers' Union projects around the
world.
The card can be sent to your mum, or someone who has cared for you. Or you
can also have one in memory of a mum or someone you remember with
fondness and gratitude.
Catalogues available in
church (or contact Lourdes
Cottam 871733)
Or order on-line www.makeamothersday.org
Page 9
Dates for your Diary:
March
Every Friday Lent Lunches, Methodist Church, 12.30pm
to 26th Mar (Good Friday, Lent Lunch St. Mary’s Church)
Friday 5th
World day of Prayer - 7.30pm, Methodist
Church
Sat 6th
Men’s Breakfast
Sunday 7
th
th
SOS St. Barnabas Church, 4.30pm - 6.00pm
Sat 13
Sunday 14
Lent Evening Service - 6.30pm, St. Mary’s
th
Mothering Sunday
Lent Evening Service - 6.30pm, St. Mary’s
Sunday 21st Lent Evening Service - 6.30pm, St. Mary’s
Wed 24th
Mothers’ Union - Guest Speaker Revd
Denise Brown
Thu 25th
Mothers’ Union Cathedral Service for
commissioning of new MU leaders, 11.00am
Sunday 28th Palm Sunday
Page 10