Meandering Thoughts
It's the middle of January and the deadline for the village magazine is today, but my first priority
with no frost and the temperature rising, is to wash my filthy car. I would definitely be the winner
of the dirtiest car in the area competition! Why not take it to a car wash? I hear you shouting - but
to be truthful, it is too dirty!
Bucket of hot water, a squirt of cleaner and I'm ready. Even the sparrows in the hedge were quiet
for a moment or two and then they began to chirp loudly, were they laughing at my efforts? Was I
the reason for their chattering? Thick mud covers all the side of my car, what colour is it meant to
be I ask myself? Are some colours better than others? How on earth does my neighbour keep his car
white? An answer jumps into my head, I have not seen him but he must pop out under the cover of
darkness with a bucket! I smile to myself.
My mind wonders to the fact that some people can't even run a bucket of water,millions on our planet
have no access to clean running water and what about those in our world who are starving?
The car begins to look better and then the sound of a jet plane overhead making a horrendous sound.
What must it be like for children caught up in conflict? For them, they know what that sound means,
yes, fear and memories that if they survive, will be with them for ever. Why are those intent on evil
and self-gratification destroying our World?
Peace and quiet at last! I am reminded that we are all the same in God's eyes. Queen Elizabeth once
said that everyone was our neighbour, no matter what race, creed or colour. Life can be like thick
mud on a car and sometimes we might need to realise someone else can help us and as for those
chirping sparrows, they are the people, they are all those that need their voices heard!
May God keep you safe and hold you in the palm of his hand.
Judith Gardiner Licenced Lay Minister
Weddings, Baptism and Funerals
It is our privilege to be involved in many of the significant moments of people's lives. Here at The Waterside Group of Churches we will do our best to guide you through what Christians mean by baptism, marriage and funerals.
Waterside Scratch Band
Scratch Band is the church music group for the Waterside group of parishes. The band meets for practice, fellowship, fun and a tea break every Thursday evening at 7.30pm to 9.30pm usually in the Church Room, Ludham or in one of the Waterside parish churches.
We play for services in the Waterside benefice and beyond, supporting regular worship in the churches and outdoors. We also entertain at local events and go carol singing in pubs, care homes and anywhere else that will have us!
Scratch is open to all. A warm welcome awaits whether you sing, play an instrument, or would just like to listen.
Contacts:
David Frost mobile: 07907679630
Diana Rackham mobile: 07880943104
Email: dianarackham@hotmail.com
WATERSIDE SCRATCH BAND – PRESS RELEASE
Meets: Thursdays, 7:30pm – 9:30pm, Ludham Church Room (Please check with a contact before coming, in case we are meeting elsewhere)
Contacts:
David Frost mobile: 07907679630
Diana Rackham mobile: 07880943104
Email: dianarackham@hotmail.com
Scratch Band is the church music group for the Waterside group of parishes.
The band meets for practice, fellowship, fun and a tea break every Thursday evening at 7.30pm to 9.30pm usually in the Church Room, Ludham or in one of the Waterside parish churches.
We play for services in the Waterside benefice and beyond, supporting regular worship in the churches and outdoors. We also entertain at local events and go carol singing in pubs, care homes and anywhere else that will have us!
Scratch is open to all. A warm welcome awaits whether you sing, play an instrument, or would just like to listen.
New member Dianne comments:
Hello, we are the scratch band, a group of musicians and singers who provide music and support for the Waterside Benefice (Ludham, Catfield and Potter Heigham Churches). We were formed some 10 years ago to provide music when there was no organist in the churches. And so now we attend all Benefice services and other special services in the church calendar. This Christmas we sang carols at Stalham Christmas event, sung to the residents at The Old Vicarage, Ludham. We were also found singing carols in the The Crown Public House Catfield one of our more unusual venues. Our happy band could also be heard in all three churches over Christmas. The final feather in our cap was a spot on Radio Norfolk singing our own very special rendition of While Shepherds.
My name is Dianne, and I am one of the new members of the band. I enjoy singing but never felt brave enough to join a choir. So when the bands leader David Frost invited me to become a member of the Scratch Band and I went along in fear and trepidation but I can honestly say is the best decision I made. There’s music, laughter and fellowship at our weekly meetings and I now really hate to miss a meeting. I urge anyone who loves to sing or play and perhaps a little hesitant about joining to come and give us a try. There’s no audition.
There is also a social side to our group and for Burns Night this year we had a haggis neeps and tatties supper followed by the traditional dessert of Cranach. The haggis was piped in by one of our musicians Ros Wilson and the address was given by another of our musicians Eilish. Once we had all enjoyed our supper we were treated to a very informative and enjoyable talk by Dr Zena Aldridge on “Dementia Awareness”. The whole evening was a huge success.
So having read all about us, I hope it’s whet your appetite and made you just a-bit curious about us
THE SCRATCH BAND.
The Waterside
