Bride Valley News

FROM THE CLERGY

Candlemas is the odd name given by the Church to February 2nd, the day when precisely 40 days after Christmas, the Bible tells us that Mary and Joseph presented the infant Jesus in the Jerusalem temple, according to Jewish law.  An old man, Simeon, took Jesus in his arms and blessed him, and then an 84-year-old temple employee, Anna, saw Jesus and 'jumped for joy'. 

I love the story of Anna, firstly because that is my wife's name, but more importantly because of the hope it carries with it.  An 84-year-old in Palestine 2000 years ago would have been rare indeed, because life expectancy was so much lower then.  Anna would have been very near the end of her life, short of breath, tired, arthritic; she had been a widow for many years and she was still working officially.  We can imagine a bent old lady, hobbling through the temple, and moaning about her lot.  But we would be wrong.  Anna was on the look-out for good things, good news, and the old woman whom we would have expected to be tired and jaded, almost partied like a child when she recognised Jesus the Christ.  What an example she is to so many of us today, who in the midst of so much have made it a rule of life to grumble. 

Let's use Anna's attitude to reflect on the proposal that a large empty building on Portland could be used for asylum seekers:

It's great that Dorset may be able to help people, the vast majority of whom have been driven from their own country by poverty, insecurity and fear. 

It's great that a derelict building may now be used in works of care and love. 

It's great that there may be many extra jobs for people who live in a local unemployment blackspot. 

It's great that there may be more disposable income to support local tradespeople. 

It's great that barriers of race, creed and colour have the chance of being crossed locally. 

Now I realise that it is not quite as simple as I'm suggesting and there may be problems, but where should we start?  With the opportunity to look out in love and joy to the disadvantaged or with opposition to anything that might upset the backyards of the advantaged?  A probable positive plays a possible negative - where do we as individuals stand? 

Anthony Ashwell

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Valley Notes

Keswick in Devon

23rd Annual Bible Convention

10 - 14 March 2003

All Saints Church

Sidmouth

Speaker: The Rev'd Ian Coffrey

Monday           7.30 pm

Tuesday - Friday   10.45 am and 7.30 pm

Lent Course at the East-end of the Valley

Our course will be run on the Wednesdays in Lent at 7.30pm in Puncknowle Hall (12th, 19th, 26th March, 2nd and 9th April) and will look at the events leading up to, and then the Passion of Jesus Christ itself, in St Mark's Gospel.  Although this continues the Bible Study that the Wednesday evening group has been following, for Lent it will be more formalised.  The evening will last up to 1½ hours, but definitely be over by 9.00 pm and will consist of coffee and biscuits to start with, a short act of worship, a Bible Study with the opportunity for discussion and questions, and a formal ending. 

All are welcome to this course, whichever end of the Valley you live, and it is helpful to bring a Bible. 

Outline Programme: Puncknowle Hall, Wednesdays 7.30pm. 

12th March            St Mark Chapter 11

19th March            St Mark Chapter 12

26th March            St Mark Chapter 13

2nd April               St Mark Chapter 14

9th April                St Mark Chapter 15

Please come along if you can, and you don't need to say anything during the study! 

Anthony Ashwell

Lent Course -West end of the Valley

Over the Wednesday evenings of Lent I shall give a series of addresses at St Mary's Burton Bradstock, on 'The Seven Deadly Sins'.  The sins may be deadly, but the addresses will not be!

The first will be included in Holy Communion for the Beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, 5th March, at 7 pm.  The succeeding ones will be at 7.30 pm on the following Wednesdays, when there will be ample time for comments, questions and discussion, and we shall close by singing Compline (Night Prayer) on each of the latter six occasions.

These are the details of the addresses:

March    5th           (Ash Wednesday)               7.00 pm  Pride

               12th                                                        7.30 pm   Covetousness

               19th                                                        7.30 pm   Lust

               26th                                                        7.30 pm   Envy

April         2nd                                                       7.30 pm   Gluttony

                 9th                                                        7.30 pm   Anger

               16th                                                        7.30 pm   Sloth                      

John Atkinson

THE BRIDE VALLEY (THURSDAY) FELLOWSHIP GROUP

The group meets each Thursday evening and alternates between Prayer and Bible Study.    Arriving from 7.30p.m. we begin at 7.45p.m. aiming to finish by about 9.15p.m.  All are most welcome.

For further details contact Paul ..., Tel ...

MAR 6 COLOSSIANS 1. 24-29   7 Norburton, Burton Bradstock

MAR 13 PRAYER                     6 Baglake, Litton Cheney

MAR 20 COLOSSIANS 2. 1-5       West Lodge, Littlebredy              

MAR 27PRAYER The Threshing Barn,  Higher Kingston Russell  

Mothers' Union

Monday 17th March  Prayers for Ireland at St.Martin's Church, Shipton Gorge at 10.30am with coffee afterwards at St. Catherine's Cross, Shipton Lane.                          

Saturday 15th March   Diocesan Spring Council......East Stour

Tuesday 25th March  Lady Day Deanery Festival at St. John's West Bay at 3.00pm ... the Bride Valley Branch to man the Bring & Buy Stall

Yvette Smith

INTRODUCTION TO CLOWNING

PUNCKNOWLE PARISH HALL

Saturday 1st  March

Led by members of HOLY FOOLS

Come & discover the fun, joy & ideas behind Clowning for Christ

MORNING WORKSHOP: 9.30 - 12.30

Mainly for adults & older children -

"Discover your child within" - basic play & explanation

AFTERNOON WORKSHOP: 2.00 - 5.00

All ages, young children welcome -

"Clowning & circus skills"

Bride Valley Scout Group

COFFEE MORNING at Puncknowle Church Hall on Saturday 22nd March at 11.00am.  Please support our fundraising efforts for a New Scout Hut.  We would be very grateful for donations of Cakes, Books, Plants, Toys, Bric-a-brac and Raffle Prizes.  Please either bring on the morning or contact:-

Ruth Brierley - Puncknowle 898283 
Marion Foot - Swyre 897165
Nic Armstrong - Littlebredy 482452
Coo Jones - Litton Cheney 482589
Steve Dove - Burton Bradstock 897695

Congratulations to the Scouts who recently completed a sponsored hike and raised a total of £225 for the Oxfam Appeal for Africa.  Well done, and thank you to all those who so generously sponsored them. 

Ruth Brierley Secretary BVSG

Burton Bradstock School

Many years ago in just my second year of teaching I received a note from a parent which began, 'Dear Sir or Madman..'  I have often pondered whether or not this was a genuine mistake or a Freudian slip.  Those of you who were unfortunate enough to have seen my photograph in the Western Gazette earlier this term may be forgiven for thinking the latter is true.  The article (containing a number of inaccuracies) was not lost on my predecessor either - we received an amusing fax from David on the subject.  So I suppose I ought really to thank the newspaper for the entertainment it provided.

Saying 'thank you' is really the theme for this month as there are a number of people to whom we as a school continue to be most grateful.  This term the P.T.A. have provided us with new netball posts and reading books for the younger children.  All these items are being eagerly used and there are further plans in the pipeline.  Thanks too must go to Chris Wilkinson who has generously replenished our stock of footballs.  The list seems endless as I think of all those who have given of their time to support us in so many ways - hearing children read; clearing and sorting the kitchen; running sports clubs and so the list goes on.  On behalf of the children, parents, staff and governors, a huge thanks.

Towards the end of last year Frankie Jones sent off for information about the Blue Peter Appeal.  The end product was a bring and buy sale last month.  Well done to Frankie, her brother Mac and Sam Pinkett who together with a little help from their friends (and mums!) raised the terrific sum of £105.  Thank you to all who contributed to and supported this worthwhile event.  Remaining items were gratefully received by the Oxfam charity shop.

In school much of our efforts and resources are taken up with the core subjects and particularly with Literacy and Numeracy.  Occasionally it can be refreshing to 'break the mould' to do something different.  At the beginning of February Class 4 did just that when we spent a day at 'The Study Gallery', Poole.  I know the staff who accompanied the children enjoyed the trip but here are some extracts of what the children wrote in their thank you letters:

'Thanks for guiding us round The Study Gallery, you really made me think about the paintings' meanings and the ideas behind them. The prints were amazing too and I loved making my own.'

'My favourite bit was writing the poems about the paintings.'

'I'm much more interested in art now.'

'Martyn Brewster's pictures are amazing.'

'The charcoal sketches were really good and relaxing to look at.'

It is comments such as these that make it all so worthwhile.  They are also a timely reminder that such experiences can 'touch the parts that core subject areas cannot reach'.  These final thoughts are for me the icing on the cake:

'I had a lovely day and hope to come again to the Gallery.'

'Thank you for the great day out ..I had lots of fun.  I enjoyed it so much I would come back again and I would do it all again.'

Thank you.

Mark Stratta.

Burton Bradstock School P.T.A. '100 Club'

I would like to thank all existing members of the '100 Club' for their support during 2002-2003, and remind you that it is now time to renew your membership.  We always welcome new members, and for just £10 you have forty-four chances of winning a money prize. (There are three cash prizes a month of £5, £10 & £20.  There are four additional £10 prizes in August and December.)

Forms to purchase tickets can be collected from the school office.  I wish you all luck in the coming year 2003-2004.

Nichola Herbert   100 Club Secretary.

January 100 Club Winners:

               £20 - M. Banks

               £10 - D. Reeves

                 £5 - L. Wilson

First Steps Parent and Toddler Group meet on Wednesdays from 10. 00am till 12 noon during term time. We offer toys and activities for all pre-school children, coffee and chat for parents and carers. The group meets at Long Bredy Village Hall on the first, third and fifth Wednesdays of the month. On the second Wednesday we meet in Little Bredy Hall and on the fourth Wednesday we meet in either Little Bredy or Puncknowle. For further details contact: Jo (Litton Cheney) ... or Julie (Puncknowle) 897178 or Rachel (Kingston Russell and Long Bredy) 482246

Thorners PTA

The outcome of the school pool questionnaire was that the children and parents would like the pool to remain and be heated. Options are being considered as how to do this most efficiently and how to raise funds, not only to provide heating but maintain it.

We have a strong committee of 11 people at Thorners PTA now. Just two posts to fill!

The cheese and wine evening was cancelled due to a lack of ticket sales but will be rearranged to a more convenient evening in the future.

Thank you all for your continued support.                                                                                                                                               Dianne ffoulkes (Chair)

Thorner's CE VA Primary School

Easter is so late this year that we will still be in the middle of term when this reaches your doorstep, a long term which will be marked by a concert where the emphasis is on the individual skills of our pupils.  So often these days we try to suppress the competitiveness of being 'the best'.  I know of some schools that have been criticised for having the non-competitive sports' day, or on the other hand the too competitive element, where the same person wins the same race year after year and the parents wish an accident would happen which would prevent that child taking part so that someone else, anyone else could win!  Our concert is there for any child, of any ability to share their success with the audience, it may be that they are a future member of a well known orchestra or just the person who wants to be able to play for their own enjoyment and relaxation.  I personally think that there is a place for both, some people are naturally competitive while others enjoy celebrating the success of their families and friends.  As teachers and parents we do have to get the balance right, knowing when to show our ability to the highest standard, and when to appreciate the success of others.  The concert that takes place at Easter, gives us all the chance to listen to children who have maybe only just started receiving music tuition and appreciate their progress over the next few years as they persevere with the intricacies of a musical instrument.  More importantly it gives the pupils some reason to keep up their learning.  However young or old we are, we always need something to strive for to give our life meaning.  Just recently as part of our RE sessions I asked the children in my class how they would like to be remembered, and was delighted when a number of them answered 'a good friend'.  Some obviously wanted to be the next David Beckham, but I wonder how many of them will have the will and determination to carry through their ideas as it does take dedication and determination to be the best in any area.  If we don't try our best we will never know what is possible, so go on try to be the best!  If you would like to attend the concert and encourage our young folk, look out for the notices or contact the school office for finalised details.

Alison Johnstone

Headteacher

Litton Cheney Youth Club

The Youth Club continues to meet for those in Littton Cheney and the surrounding area aged 8 - 17 years. The proposed date for the Annual General Meeting is Tuesday 18th March to which everyone is very welcome. Read the Litton Notes ( page 32 ) for March's dates and for further details contact Paul Kingston 482384 or James Williams 482779

Bride Valley R.B.L. Women's Section

The Easter Sale will be held in the W.I. Hall Burton Bradstock on 21st April . There will be the usual stalls plus teas and admission is free.  Any contributions towards the stalls will be gratefully received.

R.B.L.Social

The R.B.L.Social Evening this month will be held at the Three Horseshoes, Burton Bradstock at 7.30pm on Monday 31st March

PENSIONS/BENEFITS/ ALLOWANCES

BURTON BRADSTOCK POST OFFICE

Do you get your allowances in cash from Burton Bradstock Post Office and do you wish to continue?

Shortly you will be receiving a letter from the Government ( DSS) detailing the available options.

If you wish to continue to draw your Pension/Allowance in cash from the Burton Bradstock Post Office, then the preferred option is to open a POST OFFICE CARD ACCOUNT.

After completing the form, and if you require help to complete this form please call in to the Post Office, you will then receive a "Plastic card" which you will use ( instead of an Allowance book) to obtain your cash. This service is free of charge.

It is vital we use our Village Post Office or we could LOSE IT!

Burton Bradstock Parish Council and Village Society

Thank you

Many thanks to everyone who supported my coffee morning last month.  I was able to send £80 to the Bridport Social & Education Centre, a day centre for adults with learning disabilities.  My card selling will be ongoing, with all profits to the day centre, so if you are ever in need of cards please give me a ring (897695) to arrange a convenient time to look at them. 

Lesley Dove

Ladybirds

Our next meeting will be held at the home of Pauline Macauley, on March 12th at 8.00pm. Pauline will talk about her 3 years in Bangladesh involved in Primary Education. Guests and new members always welcome.                                                                                 Ursula Bayer 482252

Lost Roads of Dorset

Footpaths, Bridleways, Byways, UCRs .some of the extensive list naming our rights of access to parts of the County where the metalled roads don't take us. Dorset, like others, is riddled with them, some extensively used and some forgotten. But do you know much about them? 

A few years ago the Government decided to look into extending the public's access to the countryside, better known as 'the right to roam', and introduced the Countryside and Rights of Way Act (2000).    It was also intended to clarify all of the existing 'rights of way' where local authorities in the past hadn't had time or had mis-labelled some of the routes.  For walkers it's probably fine as it is, and will be, but for others, who wish access in other ways, there is a possibility of much greater restrictions.  The solution is simple.  Just identify all the wrongly named routes and correct them. Not so easy!

To correct the status of access, the Dorset's Definitive map has to be changed, and to do that you need lots and lots of research. Old maps studied (Tithe, Finance Act, Ordinance Survey, etc) identifying landowners, establishing local usage (Can anyone remember using it with a horse & put!) etc.  What's this all about? Well, many 'user' groups need help to gather this information to present to the Local Authorities to enable them to correct the 'wrong' Rights of Way. So.....can you help us by doing some research to help retain the 'Lost Roads of Dorset'? If so please contact me, Peter Bailey, on Bridport 424716.  Thank you.

Peter Bailey

LOCAL ELECTIONS - MAY 2003

It is important for local democracy that there should be sufficient candidates for the local elections on 1st May 2003. Do you have the interests of your village or town at heart? Are you public spirited enough to stand for election? If so, please consider putting your name forward - your community needs you.

If you are interested and would like to know more please telephone the Dorset Association of Parish & Town Councils (Tel: 01305 260972 ~ 24 hours) or e-mail the Association on office@daptc.co.uk.

Or you can log onto the Association's website www.dorset-aptc.gov.uk for an explanation of who can stand for election, details of the process and ( if elected ) what the role of councillor means, the time commitment needed, and other helpful information.

David Peet    Chief Executive  ~  Dorset Association of Parish & Town Councils

BRIDE VALLEY GARDENING CLUB

Our Chairwoman Dorothy Randell writes "the snowdrops, crocuses daffodils and primroses are coming into bloom making a pleasing sight after the drab days of January and February. Hopefully the worst of the winter months will soon be over. We can look around the garden to see what will need attention and make plans for a colourful summer display. As soon as the ground is dry enough in the vegetable garden the seed bed will want to be prepared for sowing and in the flower garden the ground will benefit from a forking over to allow air in".

A note for your diary from Pam Jukes that she has organised an outing for Thursday 12th June to visit the National Trust house and garden, Arlington Court near Barnstable in the morning and a N.G.S. garden with tea at Kerscott House in the afternoon. All details in the usual end of March newletter - but you may ring Pam on 897267.

Norma has also organised an accompanied tour around Abbotsbury Gardens with Steve Griffiths the Curator, which includes giving the historical perspective of these wonderful Gardens, on May 1st at 10.30.a.m. The camellias, magnolias, rhododendrons and azaleas should prove a superb spectacle. We will get a group discount, but the charge will be approximately £5.50. Please ring Norma on the number below if you are interested. The maximum number for this escorted tour is 30.

Our next meeting is on Monday March 10th when Anne Stevens will talk on Perennials - as usual we look forward to having new members, so do come along.

Don't forget the monthly competition of the "best " from your garden and also a donation for the raffle would be appreciated to offset the expenses of hiring the hall and speakers.

Norma Millard   ( Club Secretary )  897774

Bride Valley Young Farmers

As members will know a Whist Drive takes place every month to raise money for our club. The next Whist Drive will take place on the 21st March at 7.30pm at Thorners School. Other dates for your diary are: 11th April and the 16th May. If anyone could donate a prize, anything from a packet of tea to some toiletries, these would be gratefully received. Contact Rick on 482549 or Barbara Fry on 482596. The Whist Drive is open to everyone and new members will be very welcome.                                                  

We have a busy few months ahead. Our young farmers are off to Warmwell to use the Dry Ski slope and there is a trip to The Bredy Veterinary Centre. Other trips include: a visit to the new Police Station at Bridport, a sponsored Tractor Pull, a BBQ, Mountain Boarding, and a Summer Beach Party.

Bowling at Weymouth last month was great fun and enjoyed by all who came. We meet on alternate Wednesdays at 7.00pm at Thorners School;  new faces are very welcome, so come along and join us.

For more information contact Rick on: 01308482549

Burton Bradstock Players

Burton Bradstock Players are pleased to announce that this year's play production will he "Breath of Spring", a comedy by Peter Coke, to be presented at the W.I. Hall, Burton Bradstock, on 5th, 6th and 7th June 2003 at 7.30 p.m.  Auditions  will be  held  in  the  Reading  Room at 7.30 p.m. on Thursday, 6th March 2003.  Please come!

For further details contact the Director:- Daphne Ekins 01308 897415

Used Stamps  Collection in Aid of the Joseph Weld Hospice.

Please see Puncknowle Section (  page 29 )for details.

PUNCKNOWLE, SWYRE & WEST BEXINGTON

VITAL VILLAGES

Two open meetings took place on Wednesday the 15th January, so that as many villagers as possible could have their input into the Vital Villages Exercise. Vital Villages has been started by The Countryside Agency to allow local communities to ascertain their needs through meetings and questionnaires. Information gathered can be used to influence both West Dorset District Council, and the County Council, and for possible funding applications under the Vital Villages funding scheme which has provided funding for community schemes across Dorset and further afield.

The first meeting took place in the Bull Inn Swyre during the morning and the second, in the evening, at Puncknowle Church Hall. The meetings were well attended with 60 people in all airing their views as to what may be needed to enhance the quality of life in the three villages.

The response to this exercise will be evaluated by the Vital Villages Steering Group and a questionnaire will be drawn up and sent to all the households in the three villages.

The Steering Group at present consists of the following:

Ken 897622 (Swyre)

Madeline 897318 (Swyre)

Peter 898410 (West Bexington)

Marion 898432 (Puncknowle)

Debbie and Nick 898506 (Puncknowle)

More people are welcome to join the Vital Villages Steering Group. Please phone any of the members to find out more about Vital Villages or if you are interested in helping or attending the regular meetings of the Steering Group.

The Vital Villages Steering Group would like to thank all those who attended and made it such a success and the valuable advice given by Dorset Community Action.

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BURTON BRADSTOCK

Village Correspondent Mr Basil Dent

2, Norburton, Burton Bradstock. Tel:- (01308) 897125

From the Registers

Confirmation

John Cain at Sherborne Abbey on 1st February 2003 by our effervescent new Bishop Tim. 

Annual Church Meeting

This takes place at 7.30pm on Tuesday 25th March in the Village Hall.  If you are on the Church Electoral Roll, please do your best to attend. 

Mothering Sunday Family Service

This special Family Service, at which of course posies will be distributed, will be organised by our Family Service Committee, but will take place at Littlebredy at 11.00am on 30th  March.  Beware: this is the first day of British Summertime! 

Frugal Lunch

Everyone is welcome to a Frugal Lunch on Thursday 6th March at 12:45pm at Langebride House.

Donations will be in aid of Somerset and Dorset Air Ambulance.

Thanks to Peter Palm for ten years as treasurer of the PCC in Long Bredy.  Mike Shepherd is now carrying out these duties.

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Thought for Lent

A Thought for Lent

Ash Wednesday heralds the commencement of Lent, and the Gospel account of the Temptations is a story of self-denial on the part of Our Lord.  It tells us of Christ leaving the confines of the carpentry shop and the restraints of home life and making His entry into the outside world. His public ministry was about to begin. At the beginning of Lent we need to ask ourselves three questions:

How do we interpret the Temptation story?  Few of us would deny the existence of a force for evil or the way that force attacks man, and notably the Christian.  The tempting of Our Lord was most likely in the mind.  He was in the desert for over a month, and as he pondered his future in all its grim reality there was a very real temptation to take the easy way out and to misuse his God-given power.  Misuse of power lies at the heart of most of the world's problems. We read of leaders who seize power by force and use it corruptly, dictators like Mugabe and Saddam Hussein spring to mind.

How did Jesus deal with the three temptations? 

The answer is, on each occasion he resorted to the Word of God.  'It is written..., it is written..it is written.'  He quoted in fact from the book of Deuteronomy.  It gave him the strength to resist.  It's no wonder that St. Paul refers to the Word of God as 'the Sword of the Spirit.'

What does it all say to us as we face the next few weeks?

If Jesus was to be fully man as well as God he needed to undergo the trials and temptations that are common to man.  He has given us the perfect example of how to deal with temptation and how to practise self-denial. Man craves comfort, power and popularity; and these are the three areas under attack in the account of Christ's Temptations.  The role for Jesus, the Son of God, was to be born in a stable, to live amongst publicans and sinners, to endure night after night under the stars with no permanent home.  He had power, it is true, but he never used it for his own ends or to impress others.  As for popularity, even his friends deserted him  when he needed them most.

Lent provides us with an unrivalled opportunity for a spiritual check-up, a little intro-spection; it should be a time to be positive and not simply an opportunity for giving things up.  It should to be used for making resolutions that we intend to keep, and not just for Lent; as Paul wrote to the Church in Colosse: 'Put to death what is earthly in you, anger, wrath, malice, slander and so on.  Put on then, as God's chosen ones, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness and patience.  Above all these put on love, which binds together everything in perfect harmony.'

MY BEST FRIEND

Anne White's ( Shipton Gorge )15 year old nephew, Thomas Watson, from Plymouth was set a school project to write a few lines entitled "My Best Friend". He wrote the following:-

Before I knew this person there was an unfilled space somewhere in my body. To pinpoint where this space was exactly, I dare say could be done. How did I know he was missing when I didn't even know who he was? Well, I knew he was not there because at times in my life I often thought whether or not I was totally, I mean totally, satisfied with everything I had. The answer to that question was quite simply "no". There must have been someone, somewhere, who I could share my deepest, darkest secrets with. The ones that I could not even reveal to my parents in fear of what they might do or say. What surprised me was the fact that when I eventually did come to meet Jesus I realised that not only was He the most important person in my life, but He was life. That hole I was talking about earlier, it was God-shaped. Through knowing Jesus, that hole is slowly being filled and I can feel it. Without this person I would have no-one to talk to when I'm alone. When I feel as though I'm being pulled under by everything that life throws in my direction, His is the hand that pulls me out. When all the bad things I have done in the past are drawing at my mind making me a hidden heap of guilt, His are the words that bring comfort and safety back home again. With this person in my life I can sustain every sense of well being. In some moments I wish there was something more I could do for Him in return for what He has done for me. Other times I wish  that I had known Him sooner so that I could know Him even better. In fact being in a relationship with Jesus has allowed me to realise how every second of my life is worth something to Him. He has made me dramatically alter the way in which I view others in knowledge that I am no different to the man next door or the woman working in the rice paddys in China.

This person makes sense of everything I have ever wondered about: the questions that as a child we all have skipping in and out of our minds. Tell me, why is the sky blue?

Jesus is not only a friend but is a friend who makes friends. Since accepting His existence I have come to share my belief, knowledge and understanding of Him with an entire family of people who again I  never once knew existed. Together with these people, friends, I can grow stronger knowing that every action I carry out with my hands, every thought evoked from the scent in my nose, every feeling provoked by the eyes in my head, is being witnessed and cared for by the king above all kings, the ruler of the universe and the sustainer of my life.

As yet no-one could ever overtake Jesus in the league table of most important people. I am doubtful that anyone ever could. He knows what I've done before I've even done it. He answers my questions before I've even asked them.

Not everyone believes in Jesus. Some are close to knowing him and some do not care. I wish that these people could step out of life's mould that they are so content with and give a moment's thought towards what this man is all about.

Walking through life with Him is an experience I could die for. When looking back at times of struggle or torment I have only noticed one set of footprints. I  know it is through these times that I am carried by Him and nurtured in every way possible.

Filling the God shaped hole in my life was the best choice I ever made in life. I dread to think the way I would turn out with an empty space left inside me. Don't you?

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Editor: Susan Paul Windy Gap Shipton Lane Burton Bradstock DT6 4NQ