On Saturday 20th September 2014, St Andrew’s Church, Holme Hale, will be holding a Teddy Bear Parachute Jump from the Church Tower, in association with the 1st Necton Brownie Pack and Necton Church of England Primary School.

To take part you can either:-

• Get sponsorship for your Bear:  Sponsorship obtained by children from Necton Brownies or the Necton Church of England Primary School will be shared 50:50 between their chosen organisations and St Andrew’s Church, Holme Hale.  These sponsorship forms can be obtained directly from the Brownies or from Necton School in early-September.
Sponsorship forms in aid of St Andrew’s Church can be obtained directly from Denise Scarlett (see contact details below)

Or alternatively:-

• Turn up on the day: Bring your teddy bear and your home-made parachute and pay £5 per jump or £10 for three jumps.

Instructions on how to make a parachute for your teddy bear (or other animal) are below.

If you have any queries about the event, please contact Denise Scarlett on 01760 440274 or e-mail denisescarlett@btinternet.com

For those of you worried about your teddy bear’s fitness, a full medical check-up will be given to each Bear prior to their jump.  Also, every Bear that jumps will receive a personal certificate!  Please remember to tell us if you (and your Bear) will be coming along.

Please come and support us on 20th September

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HOW TO MAKE A PARACHUTE FOR YOUR TEDDY BEAR

Materials

Large plastic bag (strong if possible) or fabric, scissors, long piece of string, ruler, protractor, tape, teddy bear or other cuddly animal.

Instructions

1) Cut a large circle out of the plastic bag. To draw a good circle, choose a spot near the centre of the bag. Use your ruler to measure out lines of equal length coming from the centre of the circle; connect the points at the ends of the lines to make your circle.  The better you draw your circle, the better your parachute will be.

2) Use the protractor to divide the circle into six equal parts. Each part will have an angle of 60°. It will look like a pizza with six slices. Make small holes at the ends of the lines that separate the six parts of the circle. There should be six holes in total.

3) Cut the string into six equal pieces.  Each piece should be about 3 times the length of your circle’s radius (the radius is the distance between the centre of the circle and the edge of the circle). So, if the radius of your circle is 30 cm long, then your string pieces should each be 90 cm long.

4) Tape the six strings to the six holes.

5) Tie the loose ends of the strings to your object.  If your object is a teddy bear like mine, please be gentle.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND YOUR TEDDY!

New research to help churches burdened with bats

13 March 2014

The results of a three year research programme on managing large bat colonies in churches has revealed that lights and acoustic devices have a role to play in directing of bats away from churches.

The Church Buildings Council and the Second Church Estates Commissioner, Rt Hon Sir Tony Baldry MP, have welcomed the research but call for practical action to use the knowledge gained to lighten the burden on parishes living with bats.

Results of this research programme by Bristol University were discussed this morning at a meeting with Lord De Mauley, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Natural Environment and Science at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The meeting was described by Sir Tony as highly constructive.  The research has revealed that lights and acoustic devices used properly can have an effective role to play in directing bats from areas where their presence is most disruptive to worship and hospitality. The full research will be published by DEFRA shortly.

An initiative by Natural England to experiment with “lighter touch licences” where churches are doing building work is also expected by the end of the month.

A third initiative, funded by English Heritage, will allow Natural England to find ways of translating the University of Bristol’s research into practical and affordable measures to help churches.

Anne Sloman OBE, Chair of the Church Buildings Council said:

“Bats in churches are no joke for those who have to clean up the mess behind. Their presence in large numbers is making it impossible for us to open churches for a whole variety of social and community uses as well as making life miserable for worshippers, and we are seriously worried about the irreparable damage bats are causing to priceless church artefacts.

“We are grateful to DEFRA for undertaking this research and to Natural England for listening to our concerns, but the research will only be value for public money if it leads to practical solutions being implemented as soon as possible.”

Rt Hon Sir Tony Baldry MP, Second Church Estates Commissioner said:

“The research has been helpful, but what we now need is action to ensure that church congregations can worship without being concerned about the impact of bat faeces and urine.”

The debate can be  seen at http://www.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/house-of-commons-23047874.

The Rt Revd Graham James, Bishop of Norwich, together with other senior members of the Church of England, recently met the Environment Minister, Richard Benyon MP, to press for action on the continuing problem of bats in churches. A report of the visit – “Churches are paying the price of bat conservation” –  can be found on the Norwich Diocese’s website, www.norwich.anglican.org. Enter ‘Churches are paying the price of bat conservation’ in the search box.

HOLME HALE – A PICTORIAL HISTORY

Edited by Andy Scarlett

A compilation of over 70 much-loved colour and B&W photos of the village

 As displayed at the 2012 Jubilee Celebrations and the 2012 Summer Fayre.

Includes sections featuring:

+ Holme Hale Places

+ Holme Hale People and Events

+ Pubs in the Village

+  Holme Hale School

+ Farming in the Village

+ Holme Hale Railway and Station

The perfect gift, to remind you, your friends and relatives of past times

 And it’s all in a very good, local cause

Price:- £10.00 including postage and packing

Copies available from Andy Scarlett – Tel. 01760-440274

or e-mail andy.scarlett@iagre.biz

All proceeds to the St Andrew’s Church Bell Repair Fund