22/04/2009 by admin.

was when he came to talk to the men’s breakfast meeting at the Church on the Heath.  He spoke about his involvement in the historic wartime Conferences (1943-1945) in Teheran, Yalta, Potsdam and Moscow between Winston Churchill, Presidents Roosevelt and Truman and Stalin.  These meetings have been much written about; Hugh’s comments gave a refreshing slant.  

He started by reminding us just how much our country is indebted to the Americans.  Without their help the outcome of the last war might have been very different.  Notwithstanding recent difficulties Americans are both warm-hearted and very generous: without Marshall Aid Europe would never have recovered in the way it did. He continued by recounting those occasions when Churchill found Roosevelt particularly difficult and how Churchill often felt sidelined when Stalin and Roosevelt went behind his back.  Like most histories not all the traditionally accepted written accounts of their tripartite dealings are entirely reliable. 

He then gave examples of leading public figures between the two World Wars and the media in the last World War giving very distorted accounts of the Soviet system and Stalin’s leadership.  His great evil, immense cruelty and duplicity were masked by the admiration accorded to the outstanding victories of the Red Army over the German forces.  Those victories, added to the deliberately modest front Stalin presented to Churchill, Roosevelt and other foreign leaders bestowed an image of urbane respectability on ‘Uncle Jo Stalin’ and Russia’s communist system.  Stalin generated great fear in those under him; even his Foreign Minister, Molotov, was heard to stutter when in Stalin’s presence.  Censorship and surveillance were rigid.  In charge of clearing his and other offices of the British Military Mission in Moscow at the end of the War Hugh found and removed some thirty hidden microphones.  A more humorous, yet operationally serious, example was the case of the carrier pigeons carried on arctic route RAF transport aircraft in case of radio failure: they were refused entry or exercise in Russia until they received entry visas – nothing to do with bird flu! 

Hugh pointed to the widespread supposition made in some of the tabloid press and books that towards the end of the War Eastern Europe was carved up at the Yalta Conference in the Crimea and handed over to Stalin by the Western Allies.  In fact Russian troops, the Red Army and the KGB, Secret Police, having driven the German forces out, already occupied much of Eastern Europe. Stalin possessed it without needing to ask. 

Hugh explained that the over-riding objective of both sides in war is usually to bring it to an end as soon as possible.  In February 1945 Russian troops were only 40 miles from Berlin.  In a desperate last throw Hitler aimed to strengthen his front facing the Russians just north east of Dresden by transferring by rail some 30 divisions from  Western and other fronts, as our and Russian intelligence discovered.  The city of Dresden was an important final rail junction for the transfer of those troops.  To prevent the German divisions reaching and holding that front, so prolonging the war, Stalin with his military leaders requested the British and Americans to bomb Dresden and other entrainment points, Berlin, Leipzig and Chemnitz. To achieve the aim of ending the war, still being waged dangerously by Hitler, the Western Allies agreed to Stalin’s request. 

Hugh concluded his remarks by pointing out that although Stalin was the biggest mass-murderer in the whole of human history up to that date, it was Lenin before his early death in 1924, who inspired and instilled into communism its extreme “religion” of hate and murder of political opponents.  Hugh read out the words Lenin wrote in 1915 “We must hate. Hatred is the basis of communism”.  Richard Dexter/Hugh Lunghi  

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07/04/2009 by admin.

a parable story 

You can’t miss Stonylands Town Golf Club if you take the winding back road out of town. But if you are in any doubt, the signboard says it all: “Stonylands Golf Club. Member of the Federation of National Golf Clubs. Est. 1924. Secretary: J S Peasworthy, BSc.” There follows in smaller letters, “Private Property” and without apparent irony, “No ball games”. The style of the sign is almost identical to the original 1924 version, as you can readily see in the photographs of The Opening displayed in the clubhouse foyer. Had you been in the Club Committee recently, you could have participated in some lively discussion. The Club wanted a website. Or at least, they realized that they needed new members. The Committee had been doing some thinking. Membership was declining. Income was declining. With most members being over 55, ill-health and death were chipping away at numbers. Replacement applications for membership were just not keeping up. Maybe a website was the answer. Of course, there was the unspoken wish that new members would be People Like Us. People who behave well socially. Fit in easily. Good solid professional types. And preferably those who know plenty about the game already. Novices can be so, well, difficult.   

 “Text on a screen”      

Slowly, the shape of the website was hammered out in discussion, though Secretary Peasworthy tended to dominate. “We already have a brochure, and since this Web thing is just text on a screen, we can use that as a basis for the site,” he said.   Let’s take a tour of the site as it finally emerged …  On the homepage are two photos: the clubhouse and one showing the greens. Some of the Committee had argued for pictures of members. However, as Secretary Peasworthy said, “After all, the Club IS the Clubhouse and the Greens. Let these Speak for Themselves.” (He tends to capitalize words, both in speech and writing.) Certainly in the clubhouse photo, the parked cars speak for themselves – of success and wealth.   

The welcome letter     

Despite this, the Secretary thought that a welcome letter from himself should be an essential part of the homepage. This runs to a full 750 words and would benefit mightily from proof-reading and editing down in size. But Secretary Peasworthy, though charming, polite and kind to animals (and members of the Club), is not really amenable to having his writing edited and proof-read. He is in truth a better speaker than writer, and can hold an audience well on the History of Golf for 40 minutes.   

Other pages of the site   

 The Committee was unanimous in wanting the entire rules of golf posted on the site. Or, that is to say, the Federation of National Golf Clubs version of the rules, which vary ever so slightly from those of the Association of National Golfing Clubs. To explain why they belong to the Federation, there is also a detailed retelling of The Split – how the Federation and the Association had come into being many years ago. There’s a page about the Club’s dress-code too. Sometimes Secretary Peasworthy needs to have a polite word with members who do not comply. “So important to keep up standards. Scruffy dressing implies disrespect for the Game and the Club.” And if you need to read the Committee Minutes, why, there they all are, online. 

 “Games I have enjoyed”   

 The Committee was insistent that there should be some people-related content somewhere on the site. So we can read a profile of Secretary Peasworthy plus photo taken in his clubhouse office, besuited, with his golfing trophies and BSc diploma behind him on the wall. And each member of the Committee has contributed a page on “Games I Have Enjoyed.” They all interpreted this to mean “Tournaments I have Won”, and with much use of golfing jargon, we are led hole by hole, to the inevitable denouement. Few manage to avoid a somewhat triumphalist streak, and many include rather pejorative references to other lesser sports or non-golfers. Most of the stories sound oddly similar. None are less than 1200 words, and the contribution from Oldest Member, James McFadden, tips the scales at over 3000 words.  However, other members of the Club were immediately enthusiastic about these stories. Because they understood and enjoyed them, they said, “These will surely attract new people to the Club.”   

Lady members and youth    

The Club regards itself as quite forward-looking. Why, there is even a woman on the committee now.  After all, they permitted ‘ladies’ to join as full members back in 85. A few members left over that decision, and chose instead to take the hour’s drive to Bleakwoods Club, where a time-traveller from 1932 would fit in immediately.    They do have a youth session once a week. Sadly it tends to be children of the members, especially as they must bring their own golfing equipment.   

Disappointment   

 Nine months since the website went online, and the Committee are rather disappointed. There are indeed five new members. But three joined because they knew other members socially, another moved to town and drove past the Club daily, and one found the Club in the Federation’s yearbook. “This new-fangled Interweb thing doesn’t really work,” was the consensus at the latest Committee meeting. You’ll find their discussion in the latest online Committee Minutes.   

 Meanwhile, in a completely different valley …     

Just 20 minutes drive and you reach the next valley and the town of Freshfields. The golf club is easy to find – they asked the town council to erect signs at key locations. The entrance board is clear too: “Freshfields Community Golfing Centre. Free trial session – book now” (followed by email, website URL and phone number). The graphic design is lively and attractive, and a photo-collage of faces reflects the diversity of golfers using the club.   

Planning their site    

Freshfields also sensed a need for a website last year. Team Leader Jon brought together the centre’s staff, coordinating group and any members who wished to contribute. He also invited representatives from several other golf clubs who had websites, to share lessons they had learned. Dominique, a reporter on the local paper and a keen golfer, was asked to advise on effective communication principles.  Over coffee and pizza, they brainstormed ideas and looked at existing golf websites using a data-projector. Jon emphasized, “Really, we are here to promote golf as a game, rather than just ourselves.” Ideas for the site slowly came together. Before it went online, they tested reactions to it – not from their members, but by asking a range of non-golfers. They made a number of changes based on this feedback.   

What does a tour of the Freshfields site show?    

The homepage is short and attractive. A photo-collage of members’ faces of all ages gives a sense of family and demonstrates that the membership “looks like Freshfields”. Under the Freshfields Community Golfing Centre heading and logo is the strapline “I never knew golfing could be such fun!”   

Personal stories    

The navigation menu takes you to enticingly-titled inner pages. Dominique emphasized the need for personal stories. These include ‘Meet the staff’, with short profiles and photos of each member of the team, from Jon the team leader to Maria the cleaner. It’s somehow fun to know that Jon plays drums in a tribute band, that coach Roberto breeds tortoises, and Maria loves painting in watercolours.  “Why we love golf” covers a range of members’ stories. No jargon though. No hole-by-hole accounts of games. Dominique helped them shape their stories, and did proof-reading and revision. “Use humour as much as you can,” she advised. “Be self-deprecating. Use direct speech where possible. Look how magazines tell a story. And also try to counteract the awful stereotypes that people have about golfers.” Several members felt inadequate in writing skills, so Dominique wrote their stories as interview features. Each story is enhanced with a photo, a personal profile, and a two-minute video clip. Let’s look at several: 

• Katie writes movingly of how golf has been a life-saver to her as a single mum. She can leave baby Sergio in the centre’s daycare facility, and find peace and relaxation with her friend. She never dreamed of being a golfer, until she was given a free golfing token by that friend. And she benefits from the centre’s low pricing for those not in work. 
•  Darren shares why he has found golf so pleasurable for many years. He paints an enticing picture. The breeze on his face. The smell of the grass. The animals and birds. The satisfaction of a shot well-placed. The friendships made. The sense of belonging to something both local and worldwide. 
• Golf gave Cheng a new sense of release and purpose after the death of his wife and a time of depression. “I have found so many new friends,” he writes. 
• Candice (15) started golf after a multiple fracture of her ankle while playing basketball. Doctors told her to choose a new sport. “So I did,” she says simply. “Now three of my mates come along too.” 
• Denzel (17) was mixing with a bad crowd when a golf training session was held at his school. He was hooked, and after only one year, shows the potential to become professional. “Man, I was real messed up. Golf has turned my life right around.” 

All of them are honest about themselves and their reactions. Sometimes, they get frustrated with the game. Sometimes life is too busy to play. Those new to the game can find the rules strange and frustrating. But a common factor in every story is the discovery of friendship and purpose. This is probably helped by one of Jon’s informal club rules: “Every time someone you don’t know comes into the centre, invite them to your table and offer them coffee. This club is about them, not you.”   

Youth and publicity    

Freshfields wants to reach out to youth. Members and staff take volunteer sessions in local schools and youth clubs, and offer regular youth training at the centre. These sessions can be requested through the site.  The website also has a range of online games (and game downloads for mobile phones) ranging from Tetris to several golf-oriented games. Many younger people first arrive at the site through these games.  There’s also a free screensaver that members can download – it’s a good conversation starter at work or home. Club members are encouraged to invite friends to the centre, and can use ready-made contact cards with the club’s URL.   

Jokes and blogs    

A page of golfing jokes and cartoons demonstrates that the club doesn’t take itself too seriously. The coaches run a question-and-answer section to help golfers with problems. And there are two blogs. One about golfing news and developments is mainly for members. But the other, about local community issues, demonstrates a commitment to the town, and draws outsiders into the site.   

Result!    

Freshfields was already growing before the website went live. But the site has dramatically enhanced overall growth, and new visitors to the centre have increased by 80%. It’s not that the site is somehow magically doing all the work. It gives site visitors a sense of community and welcome, and introduces them to club staff and members, showing that they are normal people who have found a game that is fulfilling. It draws people to free trial sessions, youth training, and other activities. Then face-to-face relationships with real people take over.   They are now considering the possibility of buying land on the other side of town near the industrial sector and housing projects, for a second golfing centre with a special focus on helping marginalized youth and families. The town council is giving active support to the project. “Our website is now integral to all we do,” says Jon.   

This parable is not, of course, about golf.  Apologies to golfing friends: there never was, to our knowledge, any such split between national golfing federations!  This story may be freely reproduced in print without any conditions other than acknowledgement of the source: IntenetEvangelismDay.com. Please retain the paragraph above that points out this is not really about golf, and please point readers to InternetEvangelismDay.com/design as a page that will help church websites to reach outsiders.  

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10/02/2008 by admin.

A Statement in support of our Archbishop, Dr Rowan Williams
(Read out in All Saints Church, by The Vicar, Revd Roy Woodhams, on Sunday 10th February):

I believe that our Archbishop has been the subject very unfair criticism this week, and there are three things that I would like to point out to you:

1. He has been maliciously misquoted by the press reports of what he actually said this week. If you look at the full text of his lecture which (which can opened with the following link: http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/1581 ) you will understand this.

2. Religious extremism is borne out of marginalisation! A bee will only sting when it feels that its life is under threat. Most wild animals will only attack when they have been cornered. And so it is with religious extremism - throughout history, we have seen examples of religious groups who have been cornered into impossible situations, and so have turned to violence as a last resort!

3. As Christians living in Britain, we have to accept that we are no longer necessarily the majority religion or culture. But it is our responsibility, as Christians living in a multicultural society, to make this country a place where all are valued, welcomed and supported in whatever beliefs they have. And if that means working towards incorporating the laws of other faiths and cultures into British Law, then so be it.

Within all of that, I would like it to be known that Dr Rowan Williams has my full support and backing as he seeks to lead our Church through difficult times!

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29/05/2007 by admin.

As I write this at Pentecost it seems an appropriate time to consider the new ways we can communicate our Parish message in this day and age. Two thousand years ago the disciples must have been having a bit of an anticlimax after the Ascension. What do they do now? Leaderless, the disciples were gathered - may be the very same room where only a few weeks before they had been been for the Last Supper. The tremenduous happening is very well described in Acts 2:1-4:

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Some say the miracle was just that they spoke Greek, the lingua franca of the western Mediterranean, which would have been understood by all the visitors in Jerusalem for the feast. But what ever it was, the big step was that they were driven to get out and communicate, and they had something to say.The “wonderweb” is providing an increasing number of ways that everyone can broadcast to the world, or to anyone who wants to listen. First there was email,  corresponding with your friends for free, then the website, everyone can have a shop window to the world. In the last few years the pace has quickened and evolved (perhaps intelligent design?) and so many new internet features have appeared together that some call it WEB two-point-zero - the next release of the web.Going beyond emails :

• Instant messaging (communicate with your teenagers for free!)
• phone over the internet
• videoconference over the internet (last month I chatted with my nephew who showed me the spare room in his flat in Buenos Aires - no wardrobes yet!)

but the exciting areas are new broadcasting and collaboration methods:

• Blogs - web logs or diaries (like this) where you can share your thoughts with the world, and others can discuss and reply (below)
• chatrooms - where you can chat with like minded people
• Online communities - somehow unpopulated and unintelligable to anyone over the age of 25: like Myspace and Bebo 
• and the connected file sharing like YouTube where you can load up video to play to the world.
• Wikis - like wikipedia ; an encylopedia just built by voluntry contributions with a bit of peer editing. I quickly found all you ever need to know on Pentecost at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentecost
• the search engines - including Google : the mother of all - have gone beyond just finding text to providing maps, pictures, tailored news, best shopping prices, free email, even free software.
• Newsfeeds (Real Simple Syndication or RSS) where you can build up your own news agency by taking feeds from your choice of providers to get the information you want. (see http://www.parishoffleet.org.uk/newsfeeds.html for an example) You can even receive feeds from Blogs of your choice or the discussion and comments (see the foot of this page)
• Podcasts where you can download recordings -  audio and video - to play when you want, not just on your computer but on the ubiquitous iPod (hence the name)

Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

All these take the web beyond static websites, centrally controlled, into an interactive forum. Not just broadcasting but a cyber-soap box where others can heckle back or discuss and add to the thoughts. And the big plus for non-commercial users is that all of web 2.0 is largely free. In a few minutes you can broadcast a video to the world (the puppies that arrived in our house this week were on Youtube in 24 hours http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yB2Z-9Ms1_c ). Some of this is paid for by advertising, others run by internet media giants like Google and Yahoo as part of thier global communities, or you can get them at no extra cost as part of a webhosting package.And if you feel that the central websites might have some hidden agenda, or you just want a more specialised site, then the technology is relatively cheap and accessible. Find the the peer group review in Wikipedia is too liberal and anti-christian biased? Then set up http://www.conservapedia.com/Main_Page. Are some of the videos on YouTube a bit “off message”? then there is http://www.godtube.com/With this explosion of communications where does this leave the poor Parish website?Should we try to keep up with Web 2.0 ?Should we stick to doing the website as well as we can?If we struggle to fill the website, why look for more ways to communicate?If we have an interactive forum or chat facilities how do we moderate the discussion to make sure it doenst get hijacked by others?Should we podcast the sermon? BBC NEWS | UK | England | Suffolk | Vicar stunned by sermon surfers http://www.feedforall.com/podcasting-sermons.htm www.preachtheword.co.uk/Should the vicar blog his sermon - and we can then discuss the points raised in a way that you never can, even if you stay for coffee after the service?If we podcast and blog who will listen? By the time we have recorded or typed out the sermon will it be worth the effort? (Someone once calculated that so few people listened to the epilogue on Radio 3 that it would be cheaper to turn off the transmitters and send the announcer round to the listeners house by taxi!)Will we have enough to say in a blog that would draw people back to read the next one?Should we just be aiming at people in the geographic confines of our parish boundaries or going for the global audience?Do we risk having a divided seperate online community, inaccessible to the “bricks and mortar” church-goers, perhaps struggling to even turn a PC on? Do we begin to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gives us utterance?   Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

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