The end of this month sees the return to St James’s
Church of two ancient volumes, originally belonging to the Rev Duke in the
1800s.
In this issue:
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A reminder that there will be a street party to
commemorate the 70th anniversary of VJ Day outside Birlingham Village
Hall this Saturday, 15th August, from 3.00pm until 6.00pm. Although afternoon
tea will be provided, the organisers would be grateful if those coming to the
party could bring a plate of food – but don’t worry if you can’t, there should
be plenty of food. You are also welcome to bring alcohol. You are invited to
dress appropriately to the period but again this is entirely
optional.
At 2.00pm t
he Birlingham bell ringers will
be ringing a quarter peal to mark the occasion. The ringing will last for
approximately 50 minutes. The bells of St James’s Church were rung by
local ringers on VJ Day itself (15th August 1945), as commemorated on an
inscription in the church (
www.birlingham.org/pics/veday.jpg).
On Saturday, the road in front of the
Village Hall between the junctions with Whitehall Lane and Church Street will be
closed for the day. The official closure notice is available at www.birlingham.org/docs/road_closure_2015.pdf.
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We have received an email from Adrian Dence, from
Milford on Sea, who has two ancient volumes that belonged to the Rev Rashleigh
Duke, who was rector of St James’s Church from 1869 until 1908. The books are a
lectern-sized Book of Common Prayer and a Missal (also lectern-sized) and Mr
Dence would like to return them to the parish. The fascinating story of these
books can be read at www.birlingham.org/docs/duke_books_history.pdf and a picture of one of
the books can be viewed at www.birlingham.org/pics/duke_missal.jpg.
The books will be returned to the parish at a
special Evensong service at St James’s Church on Sunday 30th August at 5.30pm.
Rev Claire Lording will be officiating and there will be refreshments after the
service.
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Following the resignation of John Comins,
who will shortly be leaving the village, there is now a vacancy on Birlingham
Parish Council. John has been a member of the Parish Council for ten
years and has worked hard on behalf of the community. He is particularly
knowledgeable on planning matters and has led the Planning Subgroup on the
Council for many years. His reasoned and measured input to debates will be
greatly missed.
The vacancy is being advertised for a
period of 14 working days, during which electors can ask for an election to be
held. The notice of the vacancy can be viewed at www.birlingham.org/docs/pc_vacancy_2015.pdf.
If ten electors request an election in
writing by Tuesday 25th August, an election will be held. Otherwise, the Parish
Council will co-opt a new member at
their next meeting on Wednesday 16th September.
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