BROCKHOLES

Parish communion at St George’s Church was celebrated by Dean Henry Stapleton, who spoke about the importance of “doing what we can”. Dorothy Coldwell read the lesson and Elizabeth Mosley was the server. Noel Clarke was the organist. At the end of the service, churchwarden Margaret Kenworthy expressed thanks to Dean Henry and the Revs John and Jenny Barnes for their ministry during the interregnum. She presented Dean Henry with a book token on behalf of the congregation, saying that parishioners still hoped to see him from time to time.

The young people of AD continued making artificial flowers with next weekend's flower festival in mind. Sue Clay and Carol Lee as leaders were assisted by Dorothy and Stuart Coldwell.

The Rev Tim Moore led the sacramental service at the Methodist Church. Mrs Jan Gaunt and Mrs Eileen Littlewood gave the Bible readings and Robert Booth was the organist. Mr Graham Nicholson welcomed the congregation and Mrs Anita Platt served refreshments.

The May meeting of Brockholes WI was held in the Methodist Church Parlour. President Zita Crossley chaired the meeting to discuss and vote on this year’s resolutions for the AGM at Cardiff International Arena. A discussion and voting took place.

In the West Yorkshire Federation annual photo competition Town and Country, Sheila Hirst was one of the final four shortlisted for her photo of a Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly. The photos have been printed into notelets and will be sold in packs to raise money for the federation funds. A faith supper followed, and then members took part in a competition, Guess the flower. It was won by team Primrose.

HOLMBRIDGE

Holy Communion on Wednesday at St David’s Church was led by the Rev Geoff Bamford. Lessons were read by Ian Gold.

The Monkey Business group met and the free lunch and Over 60s Club were held.

Thursday early communion for Ascension Day was led by the Rev Geoff Bamford, who also led Friday evening prayers.

Members of St David’s Church took part in the team folk festival service at Holmfirth Parish Church on Sunday. The service was led by the Rev Keith Griffin. The preacher was the Rev Sean Robertshaw and intercessions were led by the Rev Di Ellerton. Lessons were read by the Rev Nick Heaton and music was provided by the group Outcry and Reg Meuross.

HONLEY

Introduced by chairman Alec Wallace, the speaker at a meeting of the Probus Club was Mrs Pat Alker, who gave a talk illustrated by slides of a recent visit to Kenya. The trip was part of a school twinning programme and included visits to a national park, the Masai tribal area and a large area of native housing on the outskirts of Nairobi. Colin Rawcliffe proposed the vote of thanks.

Parish Eucharist at St Mary’s Church was led by the Dean Henry Stapleton. The address for the beginning of Christian Aid Week was given by Beverley Playle, who also showed a short film at the end of the service on the work of Christian Aid in Kenya. The lesson was read by Simon Dean and intercessions were led by Carol Hirst. The server was Huw Griffiths and Pat Green assisted with the chalice. The organist was Jean Cheeseman.

Following the service, churchwarden John Dean presented a book token to the Revs John and Jenny Barnes in recognition of their contribution in ensuring continuity of services at St Mary’s Church during the period of a 15-month interregnum.

The new vicar, the Rev Liam Beadle, will be installed by the Bishop of Wakefield tomorrow (Wednesday).

MELTHAM

Meltham WI met on Tuesday May 7 when President Barbara Sheard took the meeting. The tea ladies were Betty Peel and Eileen Ellis. The speaker for the evening was Miss Patricia Bell, who talked about Little Known London and her slide show covered parts of London that we do not see on the normal tours, including photographs of houses owned by famous people. The vote of thanks for an enjoyable and fascinating talk was proposed by Ros Wimpenny. The raffle, organised by Jean Howard, was won by Joan Lucas.

SCHOLES

June and Roger Snow greeted the congregation at the door of the Methodist Church on Sunday May 5. The service was led by Terry Frost and Julia Noble played the organ. Mr Snow was the reader. The theme of the service was Grace Unmerited Favour. The Bible readings were from John chapter 18, verses 28-36 and Ephesians chapter 2, verses 1-10. Christine and Peter Lockwood served coffee and biscuits after the service.

WILSHAW

On Sunday May 12, as part of St Mary’s 150th anniversary celebrations a songs of Praise service was held in church at 4.30pm. Over several weeks people were asked to choose their favourite hymn and ten of these were sung on the day. The congregation also heard some of the stories behind the hymns and why some of them had been chosen. Louise Brook read the lesson, the Rev Judy Kenworthy led the service, Liz Pearson played the organ and the music group played Be Still. Tea and cakes were served in the Sunday School following the service.

WOOLDALE

Morning worship at the Methodist Church was led by Steven Harvey and included the baptism of Jedidiah Francis Harvey, the son of Steven and his wife Angie. The baptism was carried out by the boy’s grandfather, the Rev Chappell, of Texas. The candle and reading were given by Nigel and Denise Morris and the organist was Sue Ogden. Refreshments were served afterwards.

Sunday service at the Methodist Free Church was led by Mrs Janet Blackshaw and her readings were taken from Samuel and Mark, with her theme being stillness. Janet gave various illustrations on how we all need to take a step back from time to time and enjoy the stillness in our lives, when we are rushing from one job to another. If we just stopped and took a moment to relax and compose ourselves we would feel better for it. Two other items were read about stillness – one describing a pilgrimage on Holy Island and a prayer about stillness. She closed her service by reading the Celtic blessing. The organist was Peter Coldwell.