Photo summary of 2009

//Intro
Well, 2009, what a year. To be honest it’s been a life changing year. In terms of life skills and education I have learnt more than I have ever learnt. Friends, I have made more friends that I have ever made, and I have defiantly become more connected with God. Instead of doing a full blog outlining this year, I have decided to do it in pictures of key events. These are defiantly not the only events that took place this year, or the only ones that capture my memory, they are however a sample of what happened this year. They are in no particular order. Hope you enjoy...

//Twyford FM aka Twyford Radio

This was my soul project for my time as Head Boy at Twyford, started in 2007 open evening with just a couple of hi-fi speakers it was my project and my legacy for Twyford C of E High School. It was a vision to get students who were talented by stage shy to take up a new and accessible media such as radio. This year the school gave the thumbs up to building a state of the art radio studio which would be managed by student. When the new facilities were opened, I felt my time at Twyford was complete.

//Twyford Fellowship Weekend

From the photo you can see this was the original door wars, 3 mattresses pilled up against a fellow "floors" door. However this was not that only reason I remembered this weekend. It was also a time of learning about God, and I certainly did. I realised that I had gone on a tangent to what God really wanted to do with me. Pyjama praise also made a re-appearance in the evening with two night’s worth of praising in PJs.






Property of www.tfg.org.uk

//New Church

Although the above is of a trip away with the Church and of Luke Sears, I did indeed find a new Church this year. It is situated in London, Acton and is called Acton Baptist Church. I was invited initially to re-configure their sound system but I felt at home there and so just stayed. It is a lovely warm environment with such lovely people, they are all really supportive and I know that they have been praying for me while I have been at Uni....Thank you =D

//Twyford

Obviously, having been there for 7 year Twyford has not only been a major part of this year, but indeed the decade. Leaving it was a sad time, I had made many friends there, and many memories still surround it. A special mention must go to Philip Baxter, having met Phil in the first couple of weeks at Twyford I have been friends with him for over 7 years now. He is now...studying Electronics at York...how weird is that? However, I wouldn’t change him for the world. Thank you to everyone who made it so special, all my friends and all my teachers...

//Family

Last year a new addition was made to our family. A new cousin. Eloise (top photo) turned 1 this year and she is lovely XD. The top photo was taken at our family picnic where my Aunt and Uncle came back from Australia for a bit. It was a lovely day. The second photo was taken on our family holiday in France this year. The final photo was taken in Wales....how about that Rhian! It was actually sunny on that day and we were doing a drive along the coast and stopped to take some photos.

//Small Groups

Another Christian section now, this year I had to say goodbye to my Small Group, Pittshanger Mixed...It was a sad occasion but I do love them all very much. They all rock...enough said.


//Will Popes BBQ

Just one of those events you seem to always remember...This was not only held on the day of the Britain’s got Talent final but it was also a day when Guy Gifford got locked in a rabbit cage, and I had to run around a nature reserve in nothing but boxers...ah good times.

//My 18th

I turned 18 on results day, so it was not only the day when I realised I had got into York...my first choice, but also the day I became a man (although many contest this FACT). My friends and I celebrated in style with a pub crawl around Ealing/Northfields. It ended with the original "drunk of the week"...Sam Ashcroft:

To be fair he had just got into Cambridge...

//Lake district

This was the ultimate test of man hood...6 guys, 8 days, the highest mountain in England. It was one of the best trips I have ever been on, just 6 friends drinking and walking. We had a real sense of achievement at the end.

//Soul Survivor

For those who do not know, Soul Survivor is a big Christian camp with seminars and such like. It really opened my eyes to what God can do and I finally truly understood the band I had been wearing for 3 years...PUSH. Pray Until Something Happens.

//Canoeing

The final holiday of the summer was canoeing down the river Wye in Hereford. As you can see from the photo Ed and Chris joined my family and I (and family friends) in a three day expedition down the river. It was a really nice trip and one last chance to see my friends before I headed off to Uni...

//University

Obviously this was the one major life changing experience which has only just started. Most of you will know most of the happenings of my Uni life so far as I have been writing blogs all term. However I must say I have met some amazing people and some I am sure will be friends for life....


//Conclusion
So this year has had ups...and downs. It has been one for new friendships and old friendships, one of discovery and realisation. However, one this I can be sure of, God has been good, surprising and never changing.

So to everyone, I wish you a very happy new year. May God bless you all and keep you and your families safe.

Love
David
Xx

University- On the homewards stretch

//Intro
Arrgghh, im so sorry for not doing a blog last week. I suddenly lost all sleep/time and the week just continued and a blog was not done. I’m really sorry, so to make up...I shall post a cool picture at the end....(I couldn’t think of anything better lol). So this is my first blog as the official “Webmaster”...more on that later. This week, updates on the radio, Christian life, poll, Christmas....the usual. Read on, comment...

//Poll
So last week I released a poll asking whether you, my lovely readers, wanted me to change the background and layout of the blog. The results are in:

In 3rd place was to keep the orange
In 2nd place was to try a new layout

Which means, back to black we go...for now. You have spoken and change has happened.

So this week’s poll is, Has Christmas lost its true meaning. Please vote and then comment on what you believe Christmas is really about, why you like it ect.

//Volume
Volume for those of you who are in the dark, are Vanbrugh’s own events, and this weekend (Saturday to be precise) held “White Christmas”. It was a cheesy filled evening with £1.50 snake bites (half cider, half beer, shot of ribena) and the JCRC (Junior Common Room Committee) election results.

As you should know (from previous blogs), I had gone of a poster spree making posters for several campaigns for these elections.

The results were as follows:

Chair: Tahir Shetty

Vice-Chairs: Anne Ly & Steph Northcott

Treasurer: Kate Gibson

Secretary: Steve Ramsey

Female Welfare: Beth Miller

Male Welfare: Henri Ward

LGBT Representative: Helen Houghton

Overseas Representative: Manuel Sarmento

Entertainment Representatives: Laura Trewick, Verity Lowe, Sajni Shah, Millie Newman, Kallum Taylor and Johny Grout

Bar Representatives: Megan Shirely, Rachel Carnahan, George Barnard & Ken Ng

Sports Representatives: Pranesh Mahendran, Emily Lloyd, Adam Grey &
Lorna Blake

RAG Representatives: Lianne Stansfield & Emily Fisher

Volunteering Representatives: Mich Allard & Fergus Smith

Music Representative: Jonathan Lancaster

Environment & Campaigns Representative: Susana Paardekooper & Catherine Garman

Sponsorship Representatives: Daisy Gregory & Emma Goodwin

Merchandise Representatives: Tom McCarthy & Chris Venables

Webmaster: David Lindley

Press and Publicity Representatives: Chris West, Nick Skeavington,
Rachelle Martyn & Emily Snape

Ordinary Members: Helen Williams
Joseph Smart
Timothy Alston

All in all a good group of people. Watch this space.

On Tuesday there was a Christmas ball. Unfortunatly I had to white shirt (due to a certain Laura Trewick spilling red VK over it in freshers week), however Jono went man shopping for me and bought a shirt...so all was good.

We had an amazing 3 course meal, and a massive party after. All in all it was an amazing evening:

//Course
After last week’s sections on how lectures were interesting, I owe an apology to Emily Goodall (one of 5 girls on the course), who made an amazing skittle decoration for me to put into my blog and I (being a stupid person) forgot. So here, just for you Emily, is the skittles:

Also I have been set my first “lab report” and it is due in before Christmas. This simply sucks...but hey lol.

In better news, next terms timetable is out. Those of you who are at York and know me, know that I have 9:15 starts every morning without fail. Luckily next term I get a lie in...on MONDAYS!!! WoOoO *dances around room*.

//Radio
Last week I had my radio training session, it included learning how to operate a sound mixing desk ( =] ) and how to use the programs they have to make a smooth show. I also had to sign a contact saying that I would not express homophobic, racist, or political view points....there goes my idea for the racist, homophobic and political show featuring David Lindley..(*joke*).

Hopefully you will be hearing from me on the airwaves pretty soon....www.ury.org.uk

//Christian life
Seeing as it has been 2 weeks since I updated you all...God has been doing some really cool stuff.

A couple of Tuesdays ago i was contacted by Megan (Vanbrugh CU leader) saying that I had been nominated for the roles of PA Co-ordinator for the main CU and Vanbrugh Open Small Group Leader (OSGL). As you know I have been praying for patience and a purpose in my walk with God for being here at Uni. Suddenly it was answered in a massive way. I prayed about these positions and felt that God wanted me to go ahead with them. So I have accepted.

So what exactly is an “Open Small Group Leader?” Basically it is my job to lead a discussion group for people who are exploring faith or wanting to know a bit more about why Christians believe what they do. Its quite a scary job, but at the same very rewarding as it will both strengthen my faith and help others learn about it.

I was reading the bible and met the book of Jeremiah. In Chapter 4 Verse 3 it says:
“Plough your unploughed fields and don’t plant seeds among thorns...”

I was pondering over this verse, and after a discussion with Geoff (see previous blogs), understood that in order to share the gospel (plant the seeds) you first have to show Gods love to people, pray for them. I feel that that is really what the first 7/8 weeks of my Uni life were doing. I was ploughing the fields. Now it is time to plant the seeds.

Following on from this, on Thursday Vanbrugh CU held a “Food for Thought” evening. It featured lots of toasties, several Nooma DVDs (Short sermons) and alot of interesting discussions. Alot of people turned up and it was the first event I was running as PA-Coordinator. It was really good to see the college supporting what the CU does. I think next year God is really going to work within our college with the new JCRC and the support of those higher up in the college. God is good.

//Person of the week
This section has been drawing alot of attention from readers. Alot of people wait for weeks to become the “Person of the week”...but this week....I had to give it one person....and one person alone.

This week’s person of the week is no other than...The New Chair Of Vanbrugh... Tahir Shetty!

*note, he did bug me to do this...*end note*

So Tahir, what can I say. He is obviously the new Chair of Vanbrugh, he studies politics and is generally a very “Sound” (Kallum Taylor Copyright) guy. He is going to do an amazing job as chair next year, and he supports the Vanbrugh CU (and long may it continue). He also reads my blog, apparently, and has alot of ideas for the website which I have to design over Christmas lol.

So that’s it, Tahir Shetty, happy now?

I’m rather hoping he starts his own blog for the new Vanbrugh website....

//Christmas
So it is now less than two weeks away from the big day. Last week I received a package from home from Mummy, Daddy and Grace (I would write Gracey to fit with the whole theme but she doesn’t like that so I won’t). In these packages I got:
-Not just one, but two...yes two advent calendars
-Lots of food, including a lovely cake made by Mummy Lindley. The floor says thank you XD
-A V-shaped pillow (headrest style thing)
-Some Christmas Cards including an amazing one made by Grace

-One Russian hat, which Dad brought back from Russia

So what does this have to do with Christmas...well nothing really apart from the two advent calendars.
In the last blog I requested some audience participation...it sort of worked.

I also thought I should mention the amazing Christmas card made by Ella:

I asked that you lovely people would comment with the best present you had ever received. Here is the list I have got:

-Ray Hutchinson (explorer Scout Leader) - best Christmas present I have ever got was in 2003 when my wonderful girlfriend got me the hornby train set I never got as a kid, I can’t wait to buy my own place where I can set it up in my loft.

- Laura'best next door but one neighbour'Trewick *She made me write that* - to climb the Sydney bridge

-Emily Murdock - most amazing Christmas present (so far)? Hmmm....that would have to be what I'm getting this Christmas - a stage standard full size electric piano! But apart from that, probably books. And an Oxfammy thing that paid for a classes textbooks. That was cool. And now I'm rambling :-D

Those were the responses posted...so far. Lets have some more please XD

//Updates
No updates

//Prayer requests
-For Christmas XD
-For my lab report
-Thanking God for giving me a purpose
-For friends who have family members ill
-For my family

//Conclusion
So once again, I’m sorry that there was no blog last week...next week I want to do a summary of the whole term, the highs and lows and stuff. And this time next week I will be back home with family...and my lab report will be done XD.

Have a lovely week
God bless
David
Xxx

//Funny picture as promised