The Parish Magazine
April '26
BERWICK ST JAMES
Berwick resident Stan Palmer celebrated his 100th birthday on March 5th surrounded by family, friends and many village residents
Stan, who has lived in Berwick St James since 1935 aged nine, is by all accounts the first village resident to reach the grand age of 100. Berwick residents threw a party in his honour to mark this major milestone.
In 1943 Stan was called up as a National Serviceman and was selected to the join the Royal Navy despite wanting to join the Army. After three months he was subsequently informed to report to the naval shore establishment HMS Glendower and from there he was sent to join the Army as a battle casualty. During the last week of his basic Army training, the war in Europe ended. Stan joined the Reconnaissance Corps and after two weeks’ leave he was sent to the Far East. He was later promoted to Sergeant and was moved to GHQ Middle East. After two years in Egypt he returned to the UK and after being demobbed in 1947 spent the rest of his working life on F Bucknell & Sons farm in Berwick St James, which once had 1400 acres.
In his spare time he played football for South Newton and Wishford Football Club where Jean, his wife to be, first noticed him. Stan and Jean married at St Giles Church in Great Wishford in November 1953. He was also a keen angler and a member of Salisbury District Angling Club and as a skilful card player he won numerous prizes at whist drives. On retirement he spent much of his time gardening and took part in the Shrewton Flower Show exhibiting his vegetables and entering his garden to be judged. Alongside all his hobbies, Stan made time for family life. Stan and Jean have one son Bryan, two grandchildren, James and Sarah and two great grandchildren Rylee and Ava.
By Carolyn MacDougall
CHURCH NEWS
With Easter falling in April this year, it will be a busy month for the church and there will be three services in the church during April.
On Good Friday, the 3rd April, we will be holding a quiet devotional service, focused on the Cross, starting at 2.00pm.
On Easter Sunday, the 5th April, there will be a Holy Communion service at 11.00am and on the 3rd Sunday of the month, 19th April, we will have our usual Matins service.
As always everyone is welcome.
In addition, at 6.00pm on Monday 20th April we will be holding the Annual Parish Church Meeting, to which all parishioners are welcome. Please note, only those on the Parish Electoral Roll are entitled to vote at this meeting.
CHOCOLATE BINGO at THE READING ROOM
There will be Chocolate Bingo at the Reading Room on Thursday 9th April starting at 6pm. Great fun for everyone, children and adults. No previous experience needed!
We will need lots of donated Chocolate so that everyone will win a prize! Donated chocolate of all sorts and sizes to The Farm Shop, to Jo Carpenter at Appletree Cottage or Nicky by the eggs at Berwick Hill Farm yard. For more info Nicky [email protected]
READING ROOM AGM
Save the date Wednesday 13th May. More details next month.
Berwick St James Barn Dance Saturday 8th August from 5.30-11.00pm at The Cricket Club Ground – A private ticket-only Event
Plans for our fun and high-energy English folk-style Ceilidh event is stepping up a pace. We have signed-up two live bands that will keep the dance floor filled. It will be a great evening to bring people together of all ages and get everyone dancing! The fabulous stretch tent provides room for 200+ so the more the merrier. Invite your friends and our invitation extends to our neighbouring parish residents. Food and beverages will be available for purchase at the venue’s BBQ and bar. It will be a ‘ticket-only’ entrance event: [£15 per adult, £7.50 for under 18s, £5 for under 14s, and ‘free’ for under 5s]. Tickets will be on sale online from mid-May onwards - details to follow. In the meantime, grab the date and get ready to get your jig on for an authentic barn dance experience.
Christian Lange and Carolyn MacDougall
PLANT, PRODUCE and FLOWER TABLE supporting C.R.UK
Hello villagers and neighbouring villages.
I am waiting for the CEO and treasurer of C.R.UK Salisbury branch to get in touch about coming out to Berwick to collect our raised funds, hopefully our certificate of appreciation will follow soon after. The table is up and running already I feel its going to be a great year with your continued support. Georgia at the farm shop has kindly given me space with my very own shelf for tender/indoor plants, I can’t thank her enough, and not forgetting the book shelf in the lovely warm barn, why not have a coffee and a browse!
March .. in like a lamb and out like a lamb in Scotland perhaps LOL yours Aye Christine.
READING ROOM HIRE
To hire our wonderful little hall please text or call Christine on 07927 371721 email [email protected] Chairs and tables etc also available to hire.
WILDLIFE WATCH
COWSLIPS – every year since 2010 I have checked for the earliest Cowslip in the same place (in the field behind Asserton House). The first cowslips I have seen there this year were just open on 1st March, this is the earliest I have recorded, the previous earliest was 9th March in 2019 – it has been as late as 15th April. The average date (excluding this year) was 21st March – so 3 weeks earlier this year. Last year I recorded them on 21st March. In 2024 13th March. In 2023- 24th March. In 2022 -17th March. 2021 - 24th March. 2020 13th March. 2019 - 9th March. 2018 – 24th March. 2017 - 19th March. 2016 -14th March. 2015 - 1st April. 2014 – 21st March. 2013 – 15th April. 2012 – 25th March. 2011 – nearly out 16th March. 2010 – 4th April – all in the same place. Nicky.
BIRDS AND BEES
The warmth on 25th of February brought out the Brimstone Butterflies in Berwick, also Bumble bees and other bees, and a Song Thrush and Redwing in a Berwick garden. Also Great Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch and Green Woodpecker. And a Comma butterfly on 4th March.
PLEASE CLEAN YOUR BIRD FEEDERS.
A villager writes “After seeing a recovery of Greenfinches in recent years I’ve been saddened to see a number of Greenfinches and Chaffinches suffering from “the fat finch disease”. Routine cleaning of bird feeders will help. There’s lots of advice on line.”
WHITE TAILED EAGLES
Great reports last month, and more this month. A pair around Berwick – ring numbers G709 and G717 which are 3rd calendar year birds released on the Isle of Wight and obtained from the Scottish Islands. G717 also seen around Stoford.