Iden Village Voice
Hello Village Voice Readers, I’d hate to say it out loud, but Winter has been rather kind to us, with just a bit of dreary weather. let’s not tempt fate, but it has resulted in confusing our spring bulbs ---some of which are starting to make an appearance.
KEEPER OF THE DIARY. I have come to realise that I am nothing more than Master C.R’s Personal Assistant – making sure that he is where he should be, doing what he should be doing, at the right time. And I do not be-grudge him one single second. But my gosh it is a little exhausting – yet I have no-one to blame but myself. I could just sit him in front of the TV and have non-stop Christmas movies on, one after the other. Which isn’t a problem if that is what you have done. There is no parent shaming here. With the high expectations and standards set today in the parental world. You have to work - but you have to be at home for your children. You have to have a ridiculously tidy house – but also let children be children. Let children have fun but also remember to push them educationally. They need fun food, but no sweets. So, when Christmas comes around the corner – parents are at their wits end trying to make sure it’s as magical as it can be for them. Just so you know YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB!
CHRISTMAS IN IDEN. So far Iden has been in full flow with its Christmas Festivities!! Iden’s Church Star was switched on 29th November by the one and only Christopher Robin. After eagerly running around handing out mince pies to the onlookers, and a count down from 5 – he was very happy to shout Merry Christmas Everyone, before pressing the ON switch. As we all looked up at the bell tower, a smile appeared on everyone’s face to see it shining for all to see. Our first Advent service was well attended at the old school hall. We had the WI ladies making some wonderful Christmas wreaths under the watchful eye and helpful advice of Gill Griffith – they looked absolutely fantastic and will be dressing many of front doors of Iden. On 5th and 6th, we were busy in All Saints church – setting up and decorating Christmas trees. Thank you to all the committees that came to decorate their designated tree. If you think you have missed out don’t worry----feel free to bring a decoration or even use one of the spare decorations in the church to decorate the “Iden Residence tree”. Also well done the Christmas Indoor boot fair, yet again another busy event, and I have already heard that the next one in April next year has already got tables booked!
STILL TO COME. We haven’t finished there!
On 11th December at 10.30am, Hymnsong plus will be testing your vocal chords with Joy to the world and many other well know carols.
On Saturday 13th the Village Hall will have their Christmas Lunch – pre-booked tickets only.
Sunday 14th We have our 2nd Advent Service at the Old Hall 10 am.
On Sunday 21st December at 2.30pm we will have our Carol service and Christmas readings at All Saints Church – wrap up warm and warm up those vocal chords – it is set to be a really lovely evening. Afterwards we will have refreshments, everyone welcome.
WHERE IS EVERYONE? Setting the scene – All Saints Church - I’m battling with a Christmas tree refusing to play ball – with Christopher balancing himself precariously on a chair so he can reach the top of the Children’s Christmas tree, my phone attempting to find signal to play Christmas tunes balancing on a window ledge. when we were wonderfully greeted by visitors coming to see how the church was, while visiting a family member’s memorial. It is always wonderful to see people in our sleepy little church, and even better when you find that their grandfather was once a vicar taking service right here. It was wonderful to listen to blissful memories of childhood in our very own village, and the huge sense of Iden’s community. Trying to see similarities in the past with the present was not as easy as I thought. With wonderful memories of a full church, a dedicated vicar, the mention of “the Women of the village”, and “The Men of the village”, made me a little sad to think that that maybe it – just a thing of the past. But I won’t let it go without a fight! This is and will always be a desirable village, there will always be people on the waiting list for a house to become available here. So, if people want to live here, there must be a reason- because of how it looks, because they want to retire to a village with a sense of community, because their family use to or still do live here. Because they want to be part of something special. Well! That’s what Iden is, something special! But to be special we need people to be visible! we have so many dedicated people in this village – but they have spread themselves so thinly trying to keep all the committees going. If you live in the village, and with at least 300 people with Iden in their postal address. Please, support our village – go to the events! Try our clubs! Join a committee – you never know you may like it, and enjoy being involved. I know a lot of people are busy, or not in the greatest health. As a mid-aged lady from a London borough – it was a daily routine to walk out of your front door – head down and make a bee line for where you were going – never make eye contact, don’t get involved just get from A to B as quick as possible---I moved here for the change. I’m hoping you all feel the same please be a part of Iden. With a small congregation, and little support for the village hall, bowls club, WI – It will be a thing of the past like the bakery, the play group, and the pub. Iden will slowly cease to exist. And with that I step off my soap box and hope to see you all at our Carol Concert at All Saints on 21st December at 2.30pm.
November Dates: -
13th Dec. Christmas Lunch at the Village Hall 12midday at The Village Hall Pre-booking only
14th Dec. Advent Service at 10am in The Old School Hall.
15th Dec. Pop In 11am-1pm at The Village Hall
17th Dec. Short mat Bowls 2-4pm at The Village Hall
18th Dec. Hymnsong Plus 10.30am at The Old School Hall.
21st Dec. Carol Service at All Saints Iden 2.30pm.
Pease note there will be no Service at All Saints church on 25th December.
Iden Village Hall is available to be hired for most events, call Teresa on 01797 280143.
If you have anything you would like to add for next week. Contact Claire on [email protected] or 01797 280500 before the end of the weekend.