BROCKHOLES

Mr Michael Tolson led worship at the Methodist Church when the fourth Advent candle was lit. The pianist was Mrs Kath Gaukroger.

Parish communion at St George's Church was celebrated by the Rev Jenny Barnes. During the service Sophie Knox was enrolled as a member of the choir by the vicar. Elizabeth Mosley read the lesson and Rosalind Watt was the server. Verena Wood played the organ.

HOLMBRIDGE

Holmbridge Women's Institute held a Christmas party in the parish hall.

Midweek holy communion at St David's Church was conducted by the Rev Geoff Bamford and Ian Gold read lessons. It was followed by the Monkey Business Christmas party and a visit from Father Christmas. A free Christmas lunch was served and the Over 60s club meeting was held. The Over 60s Club held its Christmas lunch on Thursday. Friday evening prayers were led by Ian Gold.

Early communion on Sunday at St David's Church was conducted by the Rev Geoff Bamford. Parish Eucharist was led by the Rev Nick Heaton when lessons were read by John Parker and Dale Woods. Ian Gold led intercessions and the chalice was administered by Ian Macdonald. The organist was Eddie Purcell.

On Sunday evening, the annual service of lessons and carols was led by the Rev Geoff Bamford. The preacher was the Rev Nick Heaton. Lessons were read by Ian Gold, Susan Barber, Dorothy Parker, Ian Macdonald, Elizabeth Bounds, Sally Darley and the Rev Geoff Bamford. The organist was Eddie Purcell and the choirmaster was Dorian Kelly.

HONLEY

Honley Probus Club held its carol service at St Mary's Church. The service was led by the Rev David Barnes and lessons were read by Clive Green, Maurice Harper, Leslie Chadwick and Clive Waind. Barbara Brooke sang two solos and the organist was Vernon Briggs. Following the service, members and wives went to the Durker Roods Hotel at Meltham for the annual Christmas lunch. Robert Haigh, president of Holmfirth Rotary Club, brought greetings from Rotary and replied to the toast to guests and ladies, which was proposed by acting Probus president Jim Taylor.

Family communion at St Mary's Church was celebrated by the Rev Jenny Barnes. Shirley Turner read the lesson and intercessions were led by Jean and Leslie Chadwick. The organist was Vernon Briggs.

UPPERTHONG

The Tuesday morning prayer breakfast was held at the home of the Dawsons.

Holy communion at St John's Church was led by the Rev John Capstick, who was also the celebrant. A faith lunch was held in the meeting room afterwards.

The Rev Di Ellerton led a service of nine lessons and carols at St John's Church. It included solos by Graham Dawson and Ray Thompson on trumpet. A choral speaking item by members of the church family was directed by Angela Cole. The organist was Adam Greenhalgh. Wine and mince pies were served afterwards.

A memorial service for Marie Stewart, who died a year ago, was held on Sunday at St John's Church. The Rev Di Ellerton conducted the service when readers were Tim Cooke and Hilary Roberts. Sue Dawson and Val Shuttleworth assisted with the chalice and Ian Greenhalgh was the organist. Refreshments were served afterwards.

WILSHAW

Last Sunday St Mary’s held their carol service which took the form of a Christingle Service. A full church heard how Jesus the light of the World came into the World as a tiny baby, born in a stable. Lessons and a poem were read by Louise Brook, Judith Moore and Janine Day. The choir sang three items accompanied on the keyboard by Clive Pearson and two members of Valley Flutes and Rebecca, Lynda, Monique and Madeleine played Silent Night on their violins. The Rev Judy Kenworthy led the service and showed what different parts of the Christingle represented. Several families had decorated poles to represent the four seasons. Madeleine Ramsay and Liz Pearson led the prayers. Thanks were expressed to all who had worked so hard to decorate the church with flowers and trimmings and to our readers and musicians and singers. Mulled wine and minced pies were served in the Sunday school following the service.

WOOLDALE

The Carol Service on Sunday at Wooldale Methodist Free Church was led by Mrs Elaine Hale and readings were by Mrs Jenny Rowe, Mrs Wendy Bower, Mrs Myra Booth, Mr Robert Bray, Mrs Janet Blackshaw and Mrs Margaret Tinker. Elaine led the prayers and read articles relating to Christmas. Following the service mince pies and coffee was served and Christmas cards distributed. Today’s Christmas Eve service will again be led by Mrs Elaine Hale at 3pm. There will be no service on Christmas Day, but there will be a service on New Year’s Day led by Mr Tony Hudson.

Morning worship at Wooldale Methodist Church was led by the Rev Laura Hardy and the pianist was Sue Ogden.

The monthly social took the form of a meal organised by Dilys Williams and held at the Cask and Spindle, at Shepley.

A carol service at the Methodist Church was led by Trevor Jones. The organist was Nigel Morris.