Easter Newsletter

2008

INTRODUCING MARKO JAKIC:

Living at Pilsdon, people find themselves doing all sorts of things they never imagined of themselves.  For some that includes digging a duckpond; for others, it includes rebuilding a drystone wall; for still others, it means keeping night vigil during lambing season.  But while living at Pilsdon, Marko Jakic has taken up long distance running and on April 13th he will run the London Marathon.  Although Marko lived in London for 15 years, it never once occurred to him during that time to run the marathon.  Somehow, the road needed to lead Marko here before he could commit his body and his will to that remarkable decision.

In 1992 Marko arrived in London from his home in Sarajevo, where he had been working as a computer technician.  Although he had family connections in London and secured stable accommodation for himself, life in London was full of suffering for Marko.  Following a series of crises and stays in hospital to deal with depression, Marko realised that his health and well-being needed to be his first priority.  He did not have a steady job and although he always desired to work when he was feeling well, he knew it was more important to have continuous health.  Indeed, it was work enough to stay well from one day to another.  Through his gradual recovery, Marko realised he would need to look deep within himself and seek God’s guidance to see his way forward.

Through many months of conversation with a hospital chaplain, gradually it became clear to Marko that he needed to leave London, to seek a quiet place where he could make some small contribution, and take the time he needed to think about the next steps in his life.  His chaplain suggested a monastery near Newcastle, but as that community was in the midst of restructuring, the monks suggested the Pilsdon Community.

While his family and friends were hesitant to accept Marko’s growing dedication to prayer and his decision to give up his London flat, Marko really liked Pilsdon from the start and knew that he would be living here for a while.  His experience in London had taught him that recovery and discernment take a long time and he was happy to arrive in a place where he could stay as long as he needed.  He was open to doing whatever the community thought he could and found great satisfaction in contributing to something larger than himself.

Last year, as the spring days began to lengthen, Marko took to walking, then to running in the early morning.  It was lovely to be in the lanes and fields when it was sunny and cold, the dew still on the grass.  And even a short run gave Marko a positive attitude throughout the day.  In short, he discovered that running was good for him.  Jonathan suggested that he run the Shave Cross Mini-Marathon, a 5-mile race circling Pilsdon.  Marko thought, ‘Yeah, why not’ and organised a training schedule.  Nicole Uzans joined him and both completed the race – in respectable time!

And the idea to run the London Marathon?  One morning, George, long-time wayfarer and friend of Pilsdon, called out to Marko as he ran past, “Next stop, London Marathon!”  Marko laughed initially, but some time later he picked up the London Marathon magazine and was struck by one line in particular: You can run the London Marathon only if you are fit and well.  It seemed to echo Marko’s primary goal exactly.

As he tentatively mentioned the idea to others, support began to build.  Others in the community encouraged him to apply for a spot in the marathon and their belief that he could do this nurtured real satisfaction within himself.  Marko organised a training plan and began to follow it several months before he was assured a spot in the race.  He started to realise how hared the training was going to be and almost hoped his ballot would not succeed, but somehow he knew it would.

Marko’s ballot was successful, his training continues, and support continues to grow.  Marko trains with the Bridport Runners once a week and recently ran the Brighton Half-Marathon, a successful test of his progress.  He has undertaken a weekly long run – Pilsdon to Lyme Regis and back – and joins others from Pilsdon in weekly swimming, badminton, and bicycling.

Praying about it, talking about it, and training, Marko has come to see his running of the marathon as a contribution to the whole community.  Others get excited and interested in what he’s doing.  He is pleased to be running for Pilsdon, raising the profile of the community a little and raising sponsorship money towards the East Wing redevelopment project.  And the timing coincides perfectly with Pilsdon’s 50th anniversary – the marathon will be part of Pilsdon’s history and part of the celebrations.

Many people are standing behind Marko, confident he will cross the finish line – and still be fit and well – on April 13th.  For his part, Marko would like to thank God for giving him strength and health and thank the people of this community for all the support he has received.

SINCE THE PUBLICATION OF THE NEWSLETTER THE MARATHON HAS, OF COURSE, TAKEN PLACE. WE ARE DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE THAT MARKO FINISHED IN 4 HOURS 12 MINUTES AND 7 SECONDS.  IN SO DOING HE RAISED OVER £6500 FOR THE PILSDON COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU, MARKO.  WE ARE TRULY PROUD OF YOU.

News

We’re very pleased to welcome Nicole back to Pilsdon after her enforced absence because of immigration difficulties. She comes back at a fine time, with snowdrops and daffodils filling the banks and Church meadow.

The vegetable garden has been dug over, and the first onions and potatoes planted. Ron Gillingham has kindly rotovated part of the north field for our main potato crop. Our new raised beds are filled with strawberry runners

We’ve laid an old hedge dividing two of our fields and planted over 200 hedging plants. We’re very grateful to Roland Bugler for the gift of several years worth of timber, which has been sawn, split and stacked.

The cows continue to produce plenty of milk, and Hyacinth is due to calve in May. Lambing starts in April. Bramble, our sow, is due to farrow in May. 2 new duck ponds have been dug and new runs constructed, and we hope to breed our Indian Runners, Khaki Campbells and Orpingtons.

Tree Planting

We were very pleased to plant a tree in memory of Margaret Morris at Bill’s Cottage. Margaret was Canadian and had been a community member for 34 years.

East Wing Development

At present the Trustees of Pilsdon are making plans to launch a major appeal for the redevelopment of the East Wing (Wayfarers’ accommodation, craft and recreation rooms). This will be a major refurbishment in order to provide more and better accommodation for wayfarers, guests, and visitors.  More information forthcoming in next newsletter.

IMPORTANT UPDATE

Since the Newsletter was sent out we have received an award of £861,358 from Places for Change, Central Government Fund towards our £1.2 million building and development programme.

We are confident that this means our plans will now come to fruition over the next three years.  

We need to work hard in raising the shortfall and sufficient money to purchase land; a major appeal will be launched in this the year of our 50th Anniversary.

Pilgrimage Walk

The walk begins on the evening of Monday 3rd June at Little Gidding and will end on Sunday 15th June at Pilsdon. We will walk along the Greater Ridgeway, with a backup minibus carrying food and baggage. We hope as many people as possible will join us for different legs of the walk.

If you are interested in joining the walk for more that a day, then we need to know soon in order to organise accommodation. We shall be staying in communities, on a church hall floor, and camping on occasions. For a detailed schedule contact Community Member Liz Russell.

3rd June - 15th June Pilgrimage Walk: Choose your dates! (details above)