From the Curate

Some five years into the twenty-first century I have finally joined the technological revolution; with many thanks to David Williams, my patient colleague, I have recently been set up with an Internet connection.  A whole new world is available to me at the push of a button or, more accurately, the click of a mouse: I am now able to e-mail people as well as surf the net.

Yet while the Internet is an extremely diverse and fascinating resource allowing valuable access to information, ideas and so on it is e-mail which is the most useful aspect of this breakthrough.  It is e-mail which allows me quick and easy communication, especially of written information that would usually have to be posted.  Now don’t get me wrong, I certainly enjoy a telephone conversation and value the work of the Post Office but I also have to admit that there are times when sending something electronically can be quicker and easier - especially when it is tipping down with rain!

Now all this is very exciting but, I have to admit, somewhat daunting to a technophobe such as myself, someone who becomes lost within moments even discussing computer technology.  There are many things it seems to take on board if one is to use these fascinating functions to the best of their ability.

Yet as I sit at my computer writing this I know that I can access my e-mails or the Internet at any moment and this leads me to think about my relationship with God.  I have realised that before I had this capacity for the Internet I was somewhat on my own; if I needed a piece of information I used to consult a book but if you don’t have the right book to discover the information you seek what do you do then?  Now I have always loved books and I even have a fairly expansive array of them on my shelves but I have to say that they do not cover everything.  I imagine that the same cannot be said of the Internet, which I would guess can probably answer every question; and is this not an interesting metaphor for faith?  We can struggle about on our own doing what we can with meagre resources or we can turn to God for guidance, help and strength.

God reveals himself in our lives in so many extraordinary ways; his Spirit working to show us the answers, the way forward, for His love for us is boundless and everlasting.  But to be aware of this we must be ’connected’ to God, in other words we must have faith - trusting, following and believing in God’s purpose wherever He leads us.

But the metaphor does not end there; my e-mail screen has on it an icon which says ‘send/receive’ and this is, in my view, the key to faith.  If we are to know God, his guidance in our lives then we must spend time in his company, we must pray.  We must converse with God but, as in any conversation, we must listen - we must send and receive.                                                         Fr Charles

(The Editor received this article by an e-mail attachment!)

About The Parish

Joseph of Arimathea is one of the most fascinating figures in the Bible.  He is mentioned in all four Gospels as a rich man.  The Gospel of Matthew (10.1-4) names the 12 disciples of Jesus but did not name Joseph.  The answer is in the Gospel of John (19.38) which reads, "And after this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus and Pilate gave him leave."  

This tells us much about Joseph.  Firstly, that he was a secret disciple, secondly it suggests he was known to the Jews in some capacity, thirdly that he had authority, presumably from the Holy Mother, to approach Pilate and fourthly that he was important enough to have access to the Roman Governor (Pilate).  Light is shed on this last point by the Gospel of Luke (23.50-51) which reads, "And behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor, and he was a good man and just.  He was of Arimathea, a city of the Jews; who also himself waited for the Kingdom of God."  In fact, he was a public figure, being a member (counsellor) of the Sanhedrin, the Supreme Court of Jewish Law.  (Hence his access to Pilate and his reluctance to offend the Jews).   

Our history books tell us that Christianity came to Britain in AD 597 when an Italian bishop named Augustine arrived, with 40 monks, on the coast of Kent after a very arduous journey.  Augustine founded the Cathedral of Canterbury and is said to have converted the first English king, Aethelberht, to Christianity.   However, there is considerable evidence that Christianity came to England in the First Century and before the Roman invasion.  In around AD 208, Tertullian of Carthage wrote that the Christian Church "extended to all the boundaries of Gaul and parts of Britain inaccessible to the Romans but subject to Christ".  In around AD 250, Sabellius wrote, "Christianity was privately confessed elsewhere but the first nation that proclaimed it as their religion and called it Christian, after the name of Christ, was Britain".  At the Councils of Pisa in AD 1417, Constance AD 1419 and Siena AD 1423, it was declared that the British Church took precedence over all other churches, being founded by Joseph of Arimathea, immediately after the Passion of Christ.  

The six-century British historian Gildas wrote, "Joseph introduced Christianity into Britain in the last year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar".  Tiberius died on 16 March AD 37 which puts AD 36 as the likely year of Joseph's mission.  At that time, Britain was outside the Roman Empire; the Roman invasion being in AD 43.   The court antiquary to King Henry VIII, a very gifted scholar named Polydore Vergil wrote, "Britain partly through Joseph of Arimathea, partly through Fugatus and Damianus, was of all kingdoms the first to receive the Gospel".   There is evidence that Joseph came to Britain with 12 disciples which included the Bethany sisters, Mary (Magdalen) and Martha.  There are some fascinating stories and legends linking the early British sovereigns with Rome and the Holy Land.  And what of Joseph of Arimathea and the Holy Grail?  For this and much more, you must keep reading "Faith Matters".                                                                                                            Roger Bryant

Mulberry Harbour

One of the most remarkable achievements of the 2^nd World War took place under the noses of the people in the Havant area.  Under the code name "Phoenix", several vast concrete "caissons" which formed part of the Mulberry Harbours, were built in record time on the shores of Hayling Island.  The operation was very "hush hush", and much excitement and speculation was rife in the area.  Sir Winston Churchill paid a visit to the works, travelling by rail to Havant and thence by car.  Skilled workmen were brought in by coaches from the mainland.  After the bombing of Coventry, special trains carrying rubble for use in making the concrete were run to the South Coast.

On D-Day the caissons were towed to the French coast to form "moles" in the artificial harbours for landing troops, equipment and stores.  One caisson sank in Langstone Harbour soon after it was taken in tow, and it can still be seen today.  The caissons varied in size, the largest being 200 feet long and 60 feet high, weighing some 6,000 tons.  The firm Airspeed, who made aircraft components, was at Langstone Village in the garden and paddock of Langstone Towers and a Sheet Metal Factory was at the rear of the Dolphin, West Street (where the Meridian Centre entrance is).

When the war started I was 16 and with my twin brother Peter worked at Carrell’s in South Street Havant.  We both went there as apprentices straight from school - me as a brick layer and Peter as a carpenter.  After we finished our apprenticeship we were sent to Lake Road, Portsmouth, and helped with the bomb damage.  Mr. Bevin then called up everybody whose registration number ended in 0 or 9 - that included Peter and I - and we had to immediately report to Portsmouth Dockyard.  We were to work on the Mulberry Harbours for Bovis.  We were fitted with duffel coats and wire cutters and were well looked after.  The only day we had off with pay was when they floated the harbours - and then when Field Marshall Montgomery came to thank the workers, we had an hour off!

After the platforms were complete I went to work for AR West at Purbrook.  We had the maintenance for the Army Camps out at Hambledon and Denmead. King George VI came and viewed the work.  I remember the building trade got an extra cheese ration, which helped with our packed lunch.

I was a member of the Home Guard in Havant.  We worked from the garage of Langbrook House in Langstone.  Eight of us would be on duty; two would be out while the others slept.  The drill hall in West Street was our Head Quarters.

We lived at 10 Lower Grove Road, during the worst of the bombing.  There was a family that used to come out from Portsmouth and sleep in the front room.  Prior to Dunkirk we had two soldiers billeted in the house.  We had an Anderson shelter at the bottom of the garden - it had an extension and there was enough room for 7 of us.                                                                                         John Freeston

WW2 Exhibition - The Things They Say

Several local schools were invited to this exhibition and following their visit many letters of appreciation were received.  Below are extracts from some of the letters.

"I learned so much knowledge I thought my brain would explode.  We really appreciated the time and effort you took to help us understand World War II."

"I learned that the Government didn't think fruit was that important, so they didn't grow much of it."

"Thank you for holding the exhibition for us.  I found it very interesting.  The time you gave us to look around free willed made the exhibition brilliant."

"I liked the part where you could see the rations.  I couldn't believe it when I saw how many sweets you got for a week!  That's the amount I eat in a day!"

"It made me realise how lucky we are to be able to just pop to the shops.  The activities were brilliant as well."

"I really liked coming to see you at the church and I also liked trying on the fake solders hat but it just wasn't my colour."

"Thank you for your kindness and generosity in inviting us and making the morning a brilliant and educational one."

"I leamt not to eat stale sweets and uniform was important."

"Thank you for inviting us to your wonderful display of WW2.  We were all honoured to do the quiz you gave us to do, it was great fun."

"I liked the way you set out the uniforms and it probably took you most of your time.  But I'm sorry about my behaviour."

"I'm grateful that you invited me....and thank you for putting your effort to the exhibition."

"I have got alot in my head thanks to you.  I have leamt that they wore wooly socks and a magizen cost 2 tuppence (i'm shocked) and Mont Gomery was The Vicker Type thing."

"Thank you for putting up all the display.  It was really nice of you to use your time for us."

A Bellringer for 60 Years+

During WWII there was total ban on church bell ringing so that the bells could be used to warn the public of a German invasion.  The ban was eventually lifted in 1943 when I was eleven years old and my father, being a bell ringer since he volunteered to learn at the end of the First World War, took me along to learn the art at one of our local churches, Alvechurch in Worcestershire.

I recall pieces of rope being used for tying the bell clappers to silence the bells while I learned to handle a bell and boxes being placed on top of each other so that I could reach the sally (that's the fluffy bit on the rope).  Needless to say my father's enthusiasm and his fascination for change ringing rubbed off on me and we started visiting other towers, such as Kings Norton and Selly Oak, to learn more advanced methods (those are the mathematical tunes that we attempt to ring!).

I studied engineering at Loughborough College, where the famous bell foundry is also in the town, so I had the opportunity to learn much more about bells and ringing from the very good ringers in that area of Leicestershire.

I have now lived in Hampshire for some twenty seven years or so and been a member of the Cathrington ringers and now the Havant ringers.  Each Wednesday night I visit Chichester Cathedral for their practice to learn even more advanced methods!                               Bob Wilson

{Bob is a member of the elite band of ringers known as the “43’ers”, who learned to ring when the ban on ringing was lifted in 1943}

On Sunday 10^th July, our bells rang as usual for the morning service but then our eight bells rang out again at 5pm along with almost every other bell tower in the country in recognition of the 60^th Anniversary of the end of WWII.  These were our ringers who rang on that day.

Correspondence Column

Once again we see pictures on television of emaciated, starving – and dying – children in Africa, this time in Niger, and in other areas of West Africa there will be unappeased hunger, and as always it will be children who suffer first.  Recently we ‘endured’ the hype and hysteria of ‘Live Aid’, where approximately £20 million was spent to “raise awareness” of poverty; and above the north door of St. Faith’s hang the words of that enigmatic slogan “Make Poverty History”.  Then a few days ago, an envelope came through the letter box addressed to Mr & Mrs B. Wondering, I opened it to find two books of raffle tickets in aid of “St. Faith’s & St. Nicholas Restoration & Development Appeal”.

In its early days I supported the appeal to raise funds required to carry out work at St. Faith’s & St. Nicholas required for reasons of preservation, health and safety; in particular the tower (St. Faith’s) was in urgent need of attention.  Since then “Development” has widened the appeal, and the appeal seems to have become a permanent feature.  I respect fully the worthy intentions of those who have given, and continue to give, so freely of their time and talents in this venture, but I wonder if this continued emphasis on bricks & mortar has become somewhat obsessive and inward looking.  As money continues to be raised so further development projects will be found to spend it on.

As I see it charity, like socialism is about priorities – perhaps the priority at present is poverty and starvation in Africa.

Yours sincerely,                                                                                                                             John Bradey

(Should we donate our money to the starving of Africa? – I am sure many parishioners have donated to BOTH Niger and the Restoration & Redevelopment Fund.  Will this ever solve the problem? – it didn’t when the first ‘Live Aid’ raised over $200 million in 1985.  Isn’t there a political issue with the governments of the affected countries?  Would we be neglecting our responsibilities by not maintaining and redeveloping our church for future generations?  If you wish to comment on John’s controversial views, please write to the Editor)

I see from the latest edition of “Faith Matters” that there is a tape of Betty Marshall’s memories of Havant during World War II.  I always love learning about local history from Betty and sadly I was not able to get to her talk.  I would be grateful if you could send me a tape.  A modest cheque for the Restoration and Redevelopment Fund is enclosed.

Yours sincerely,                                                                                                                   David Willetts MP

The Boyhood of Jesus

Last month we left the Holy Family in route for Nazareth.  They arrived and were united with family and friends.  The texts say that Joseph was befriended by another carpenter, named Delanos, who found them a home and bought Joseph "necessities" which presumably were the tools of his trade.  By now, Jesus was aged about 10 and probably was assisting Joseph in his work.  We can only speculate about this period in His life but some two years later came an event which is well documented in Luke's Gospel.  

In the spring each year Joseph and Mary went to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of the Passover.  This was an expensive business and suggests that Mary and Joseph were prosperous.  It is thought that Joseph was a master-carpenter and that he owned a vineyard.  The journey to Jerusalem took about a day and families and friends banded together for protection from brigands.  As they made their way home, Joseph and Mary discovered that Jesus was not with them.   They returned to Jerusalem and after three days of searching, finally found Jesus in the Temple, sitting in the midst of doctors, both listening and asking them questions.   

Jesus is soon a youth; His boyhood is behind Him and we know what lies ahead for Him and us.  However, there is one great mystery to examine before we finish our narrative - did Jesus have siblings?  Certainly the Bible tells us that He had brothers and sisters.  Which begs the question, why were they not present at his death?  The Gospel of John records the following (19.25) "Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother and his mother's sister Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.  When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple standing by, whom He loved, He saith unto His mother, Woman, behold thy son!  Then saith He to the disciple, Behold thy mother!  And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home."  Almost certainly, Joseph had died many years previous but why was it necessary to find a home for the Blessed Mother when Jesus had siblings?  (Incidentally, some experts say that this account is evidence that John did not know the name of Jesus’ mother.  As you will see from the following, he may have been incorrect in writing that the step sister Mary was married to Cleophas.)  

Why was the sister of the Blessed Mother Mary also called Mary?  For the answer, we return to Anne and Joachim, the parents of Jesus’ mother, who we left when Mary entered the Temple School.  When Joachim died, Anne married Cleopas (not Cleophas as John wrote), by whom she had a daughter whom she also named Mary (Cleopas), so the two were step sisters.  When Cleopas died, Anne married Solamus and had another daughter whom she also named Mary (known as Solome), so there were three step sisters of the same name.  Anne married a fourth time but there were no further Mary’s!  The texts have it that the second Mary, (Cleopas), had four sons - James, Joses, Simon and Judas.   Matthew 13.55, tells us "Is this not the carpenter's sons?   Is not his mother Mary and his brethren James and Joses, and Simon and Judas?"  There could hardly be two sets of brothers with the same names, with both mothers named Mary!  So were they actually cousins of our Lord and not his brothers?  The texts tell us that "James was called the Lord's brother because he was the son of His aunt".  In view of Joseph advanced years, it is possible that the Blessed Mother had just one child but we shall never know.  But we do know of the wondrous glory of that child.   Roger Bryant

News from Nottingham

I recently had breakfast with the Bishop of the North Pole, who happened to be passing through St John’s College whilst on sabbatical.  Bishop Larry is a suffragan bishop in the Anglican Church of Canada.  His diocese - the Arctic - is 15 times the size of the UK, with a population of just 55,000.  He told me about the igloo-shaped cathedral on Baffin Island and about the Church’s work in his diocese, which includes helping Father Christmas answer the many letters he receives from Canadian children.

Closer to home, we spent a week studying the Psalms and the Wisdom Literature (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Job).  There are about seven different types of psalm, so we practised ‘performing’ psalms of various types in different styles; the most unusual was a rap version of Psalm 136.  As well as being the longest book in the Bible, the Psalms include some of the most familiar biblical texts (many hymns are based on psalms), so learning how to use psalms creatively in worship is very important.  We also acted various scenes from Job, and I was a very convincing Satan, complete with fork. 

I finished the term, and the academic year, with a two-week placement based around London’s docklands, looking at urban regeneration from a theological perspective.  Having specialised in property development in my former life as a solicitor, I thought it would be fascinating to look at it with my new theological eyes – and it was.  My supervisor was Fiona, the Bishop of London’s chaplain in docklands, who was appointed to this new role last year.  She told me about the joys and difficulties of setting up a brand new chaplaincy to her ‘parish’ – Canary Wharf, where 65,000 people work, but very few people actually live.  I was treated to a personal tour of Canary Wharf in a golf buggy and a trip to the top of the tallest building in Europe (not open to the public; fantastic views!) and I also met the Chief Executive of HSBC, who is a non-stipendiary priest. 

By way of contrast, I also spent some time in Southwark, which has been earmarked as an area for major regeneration over the next 10-15 years.  When Canary Wharf was developed, the churches and other faith groups opposed it, but later wished that they had been involved; so Southwark Diocese is hoping to learn from mistakes that were made with Canary Wharf and is getting involved with the regeneration now, at the planning stage.  People are predicting that in 15 years’ time, the Southwark skyline will resemble that of Manhattan – probably an exaggeration, but whatever happens the Church of England will have influenced it.

My placement changed dramatically on its penultimate day, when the terrorist bombs exploded in central London.  As Fiona the chaplain sprang into action, I saw at first hand that it is at times like this that chaplaincy comes into its own.  It also brought home to me that there will be times in my future ministry when something happens that throws all my carefully-laid plans out of the window.  And it gave me a whole new question for my theological reflection: where is God in all this?  (Job was especially helpful here.)

So I have completed the first year of my training.  Apart from having a jolly good time and making lots of new friends, the most exciting part has been learning how to see things in a new way: different aspects of theology are like lots of different coloured filters which you can apply to situations, ideas and questions in any number of different combinations, making things look different every time.  It is endlessly fascinating and will become more so the more I learn.  I’m ending the year with many more questions than I had at the beginning, but at least I have learned not to expect quick or easy answers and that’s half the fun.

I can’t leave you without a joke, courtesy of a fellow-student’s 4-year-old daughter Megan: How do you part the Red Sea? With a sea-saw!

Have a good summer.                                                           Rachel Phillips (is the niece of Alan Hakim)

St. Nicholas Chapel – “The Langstone Anchor”

Those of you who have recently walked down Langstone High Street will have noticed that the “Langstone” anchor has now been mounted in the gravel garden of the Chapel.

The anchor was recovered from the “Langstone” wreck in the harbour close to the Old Mill by Mike Rogers and Chris Ellis in the summer of 2000.  In its time, the “Langstone” had been a proud and hard working sailing barge built in 1900 by Apps shipyard, Emsworth for the gravel and ballast trade.  In the latter years of her service she had a broken back and finally retired in 1940.  In 1948, after an uneventful war, she made her last journey from Langstone Quay to her final resting place in front of the Old Mill where she was stripped of all her brass, copper and gunmetal by an unscrupulous character and the results of his handiwork now lie rotting in the mud.  For a barge, that was such a “local character”, this was a sad end.

After much hard work, and following advice given by Margaret Rule (Director of Operations for the raising of the Mary Rose), the anchor was treated over a period of time to bring it to its present condition and to protect it from further corrosion.

Early in the spring of 2005 Mike Rogers built a concrete plinth and mounted the anchor on it together with a brass plaque.  Our thanks to Mike for all of his hard work and generosity of spirit in putting the anchor on display for us all to see.

The Church Flowers

Frequently, visitors to St Faith’s tell me how much they admire the flowers in the Church.  As I am sure you know there are several of us in the congregation who greatly enjoy arranging flowers.

Uppermost in our minds is the knowledge that not only are we beautifying the Church, but we are doing it for God’s praise and glory.

I rarely have to ask for extra funds because of the generosity of those who provide flowers and greenery from their own gardens. Also some parishioners like to give money for an arrangement to mark a special anniversary or event. Flowers with their scent and their beauty evoke memories which words cannot express. If you would like flowers arranged in memory of someone, please ring me on 023 9248 3836 or Valentine on 023 9247 0718.                                                                  Rosemary Thomas

From the Editor

Two years ago, Sheila & Colin Warlow won second prize in the St. Faith’s Church Town Fair Grand Draw.  It was a Brittany Ferries trip to Cherbourg for four people, staying in France for 24 hours.  They very kindly asked Beryl & I to accompany them.  Off we set on the M/V Barfleur from Portsmouth on a 4¾ hours sailing across the English Channel.  We had a 4-berth cabin with toilet and shower available for us.  The ferry can carry 1,212 passengers and 590 cars.  It was a very pleasant sea voyage and on arrival we checked into a nice hotel and had an enjoyable evening meal

at a restaurant that cooked the food over an open range fire.  Both the hotel and restaurant had been recommended by Pam & Derek Bowley.  The following day we visited the Parish church of the Holy Trinity, walked around Cherbourg, said hello to the statue of Napoleon on his horse, eat some delicious crêpes and shopped at a supermarket for some wines, spirits, cheese and the like.  The 24 hours went very quickly and before we knew it we were on our way back, this time on the high speed (Fast Cat) Normandie Express on a 2¾ hours trip back across the channel.  The Fast Cat can carry 900 passengers and 267 cars.  It was a most enjoyable short break – can we have more prizes like this in future Grand Draws please?

June, July and August have been very busy for the members of the Restoration and Redevelopment Committee.  We had the Strawberry Tea in June, the World War II Exhibition over five days in July and the Town Fair in August.  We are very fortunate in having so many dedicated parishioners who are prepared to give up their time to make these events so successful.                     Colin Carter

From Church Bulletins

The services today will end with `Little Drops of Water'.  One of the men will start quietly and the rest of the congregation will join in.

On Sunday a special collection will be taken to defray the expense of a new carpet.  All wishing to do something on the carpet please come forward and get a piece of paper.

St. Faith’s Parish Hall

(The Parish Hall was opened on 20^th April 1926 by the Duke of Somerset.  Here is the forward to the programme – “A Scheme --- and its achievement”.)

The Opening of St. Faith’s Parish Hall will see the achievement of a cherished hope and purpose.

In the autumn of 1917, the Parochial Church Council adopted a scheme for the erection of a Building to comprise a Parish Hall and Young Men’s Club.  Towards this Sir Woolmer White, Bt., generously offered £500 if twice that sum (£1,000) in addition were raised before the end of the year.  Subscriptions flowed in freely and the challenge was met: two Fancy Fairs were subsequently held and the whole enterprise met with much encouragement and success.

Plans for a Hall and Club were submitted by several architects but the cost of building was found to be prohibitive at the time and some other method had to be adopted.  In 1919 an old property, Pallant House, standing in a good garden, centrally and conveniently situated, was bought and the house was altered and fitted up at considerable cost as a Men’s Club.  Thus one part of the Scheme was completed and it was decided to build the Parish Hall later on.  “These buildings,” we wrote in the programme of the first Fancy Fair, “will be Church property just as the old Parish Church is: but just as to the Parish Church all who come are welcome, so membership of the Club will be open to any young men in Havant without any religious test whatever.”  So the Club was brought into being and has carried on until the present time.

And now the Hall is to be opened and here again we quote what was written at the time of the first appeal – “the Hall will be primarily a Parish Hall, i.e., primarily for the purposes of the Church – for meetings, conferences, entertainments, etc., in connection with St. Faith’s and its organisations.  When not required in these directions it is intended that it will be available at a fair charge for public meetings, lectures, etc., the letting being subject in each instance to the approval of the responsible Church authorities.”  That then is our purpose for the Hall.

In these buildings we believe we have provided something that will be of permanent value to the Church and parish.  We have planned and built not merely to meet the needs of our own day but with a view to the future.  More and more Havant becomes the centre of a large district and our hope and belief is that, whatever adjustments of use circumstances may from time to time require, this block of Parochial Buildings will be a permanent centre of usefulness and Church activity.

We still need £1,500 to free the enterprise from all debt – towards this sum we ask for generous subscriptions as well as a ready patronage of the Bazaar.                       Harold N. Rodgers (Rector)

News from Sendai, Japan

Rod and Glenda Thomas are back in Sendai and on 24 July had a meeting at the church to determine the “way forward”.  It was fairly strained and tense to begin with, but it is surprising how a face-to-face meeting can dispel feelings that build up after a year’s separation.  Somehow the devil can make molehills into mountains in people's imaginations, especially in the absence of facts!  The meeting ended with the entire church unanimously and unequivocally welcoming them back and requesting them to be the pastoral couple.  Please pray for:

• a smooth transition with the Weston’s, the present missionaries, and that the inquirers doing bible studies with them continue with us.  Rod and Glenda will officially take over at the end of August
• a new venue to meet.  They have to have a new church meeting place by September and they are looking for houses but so far have only found a few small flats.  They are also looking for living accommodation for themselves in the same area of Sendai and may share with the church.

The Chase

Next month, 21^st October, will be the 200^th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar and the death of Horatio Nelson.  This article gives the events leading to the battle.

Vice Admiral Lord Nelson was appointed to command the Mediterranean Fleet, in the spring of 1803.  On 18^th August 1805 Nelson in HMS Victory, anchored off Portsmouth, having chased the French Fleet with Admiral Villeneuve in command, who manage to escape the blockade of Toulon on the 18^th January 1805.  Having heard the news, Nelson sailed with his Fleet for Alexandra arriving on 7^th February to prevent the French Fleet from picking up the French Troops left after the Battle of the Nile and investigating ports and harbours in case the French Fleet had anchored in any of them.  The French Fleet got as far as Greece and then turned back to the west as far as Tunis, turning east again to sail around Sicily and headed back to Toulon.

After Alexandra, Nelson sailed for Malta then to Sardinia.  Meanwhile, whilst the search for the French Fleet was being carried out, Villeneuve was ordered to sea on the 30^th March.  On 7^th April, Villeneuve anchored off Cartanga, and signalled for the Spanish warships in harbour to join him.  The Spaniards asked for time to ammunition and store ships, not wishing to stop Villeneuve sailed and slipped through the Straits of Gibraltar, but were seen by the Captain of a frigate refitting at Gibraltar. 

By 9^th April the French had arrived at Cadiz and was seen again by Admiral Orde and the five ships of the line who were blockading Cadiz harbour.  Villeneuve signalled the one French ship and as many of the fifteen Spanish battleships as were ready for sea to join him.  Just after noon he gave the order to weigh anchor, and sailed off in a westerly direction.  When Orde's cruisers reappeared off Cadiz the next day the Combined Fleet had disappeared.

On the night of the 31^st March Nelson's frigates lost sight of the French Fleet whilst Nelson was waiting off the coast of Sardinia, but on 4^th April, Nelson learnt the French had escaped him, took station between Sardinia and the African Coast and remained there for twelve days.  On the 18^th April, Nelson learnt from a passing merchantman that the French had been seen off the Spanish coast eleven days before.  Next day confirmation arrived that they had passed the Straits, been joined by the Spaniards and had sailed again without entering harbour.  Nelson, then headed for Tetuan Bay (Morocco) arriving on 4^th May and set to work taking on provisions and water.  Sailing next day the Fleet went to Gibraltar and stayed for 4 hours.  Gathering all information possible Nelson decided that Villeneuve had sailed for the West Indies and not the English Channel.  The next 24 hours were spent at Lagos Bay (Southern Portugal), making ready for a long voyage.  On 9^th May Nelson spoke with one of Orde's frigates, who had spoken to a vessel that had left Spithead on 27^th April.  Nothing had been heard of the French Fleet and Nelson was now sure that Villeneuve was headed for Martinique.  By 14^th May, Nelson with ten ships of the line and three frigates had reached Madeira in pursuit of the French and Spanish Fleet three thousand miles ahead of him.

On the 4^th June, Nelson anchored at Barbados having gained 13 days upon the French and Spanish Fleet which had anchored at Martinique on 13^th May.  Two ships of the line joined Villeneuve, making his force to twenty sail of the line and seven frigates.  Villeneuve instructions were to be in readiness for the arrival of the Brest fleet and at the same time to attack the British West Indian Islands.  Quarrels broke between the French and Spanish Admirals, and the death of 3,000 men due to the unhealthy climate.  As Nelson arrived, Villeneuve sailed northwards and captured a convoy and learnt that Nelson with twelve or fourteen ships and Admiral Cochrane with eight sail of the line were close at hand.  The West Indies was saved, but danger now threatened Britain.  Villeneuve orders were to proceed to Ferrol (North West coast of Spain), and to add fifteen French and Spanish ships to the Fleet, making thirty four or thirty five ships of the line, either to pass around Ireland for Texel (Netherlands) to join up with another seven ships, or to go up the English Channel to Boulogne, giving Napoleon the opportunity to cross the Channel.  Meanwhile at Barbados, two ships joined the Fleet, bringing the number to twelve.  Nelson was given false information by General Brereton, the Commanding Officer at St. Lucia, to the effect that the enemy had gone to attack Trinidad.  Embarking troops he sailed south at Tobago, with the news being confirmed by an American ship who reported the enemy ahead.  As he neared Trinidad, on 7^th June Nelson saw outposts blazing on the heights, but on entering the Gulf of Paria he saw no hostile sail there.  Nelson immediately turned north and on 12^th June landed the troops at Antigua.  At last he received news from the schooner Nelly that the French Fleet had passed to the north at Guadeloupe.  That same night Nelson sent the brig Curieux to carry news of his coming and of the French movements to the Admiralty.  On 13th June Nelson weighed anchor and followed.  On 17^thJuly Nelson made his landfall at Cape St. Vincent (Southern Portugal) having crossed the Atlantic in thirty-four days and passing Rear Admiral Collingwood who was blockading Cadiz.  On 23^rd July having revictualled the fleet at Tetouan, Nelson once again headed for the Atlantic and turned northwards, towards the English Channel, delayed by head winds on the Portuguese coast.  Meanwhile the British squadrons were assembling in the path which Napoleon had ordered Villeneuve to take.  On 9th August, discovering the French and Spanish Fleet were in Ferrol, Admiral Calder sailed northwards and on 14^th August, joined Admiral Cornwallis off Ushant.  He was also joined a few hours later by Rear Admiral Stirling.  At 6pm the next evening the Channel Fleet already twenty-seven sail of the line was joined by Nelson with twelve more, after learning on the 13^th, whilst bound for the Scillies that Ireland was safe.  As darkness fell on the 15^th Villeneuve abandoned the enterprise and fled for Cadiz.

On 18^th August, Nelson in HMS Victory anchored off Portsmouth.  After all the formalities Nelson ordered a chaise and set off the next evening for Merton, his home.  The following day he visited the Admiralty, navy agents and the navy office, also visiting the office of William Pitt, the Prime Minister, who made it clear that Nelson's services would be required.

On the evening of 2^nd September the Euryalus (frigate), Captain Blackwood, anchored off the Needles and landed at Lymington.  He hired a chaise and set off for Merton to give Nelson the news that the French and Spanish Fleet were at Cadiz, before travelling to the Admiralty.  William Sagrott

Joseph and His Technicolor Dreamcoat

We would like to put on our own special version of Joseph during half term next February, the performance dates would be 16th, 17th & 18th.  We have spoken to St. Albans and hope to have support from them, they have experience of putting on shows so will be a great help to us.  It will be a big commitment, a lot of hard work but hopefully a great experience.  If you would be interested in this, in being in the cast, helping with music, backstage, costume, etc., please let me know.  If there is sufficient interest we would need to start rehearsing by the beginning of October.   Sandra Haggan

Don't skip this just because it looks weird.  Believe it or not, you can read it.

I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdgnieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig?

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