BIRDSEDGE

At a very busy Quiz Night it was good to see the young people back from university for the holiday. The team from Park Head won and very few people went hungry. The next quiz will be held on April 27 at 8pm.

Luncheon Club on Thursday will be serving beef stew in Yorkshire pudding followed by rhubarb crumble and custard.

Vin Garbutt will be appearing at the Village Hall on Saturday April 14, tickets available on 606230.

The Village Hall Committee provided a splendid buffet lunch at the Village Hall for councillors and friends after the Denby Dale Parish Council Civic Service.

The congregation for the Civic Service was welcomed by Clr Michael Watson, Chairman of the Denby Dale Parish Council and Robert Halmshaw, Church President. Tom Wood led the prayers and readings were read by Mrs Pat Wood, Clr Michael Watson and Steve Ashley. Tom Wood gave the message and blessing. Malcolm Jacob was the organist. The collection will be shared between the Church and the Chairman’s Charity, the Denby Dale Centre.

There will be a Good Friday service at 6.30pm. Easter celebrations will start at 9am when bacon sandwiches, eggs, cereal or toast will be available for anyone who comes to attend the 10.30am Easter Sunday family service.

CLAYTON WEST

Morning worship at the Methodist Church was a service of Holy Communion for Palm Sunday, led by the Minister the Rev David Priestnall. The final reading and prayer for Lent were given by Rosalyn Beevers and Joan Bond and preceded the service. David spoke of the joyful entry into Jerusalem of Jesus riding on a borrowed donkey and how this would be followed by the sadness of the crucifixion on Good Friday. Les Barber read the story from Marks' Gospel. Palm crosses were given out to people as they arrived at the church for the service. Stewards were Betty Booth and Joann Bond and Maxine Lodge assisted at communion. A gift of flowers was by Joan Bond and Jane Hobson played the piano. Wendy Barber served coffee and biscuits after the service.

DENBY DALE

Denby Dale Amateur Radio Society will host a talk about Castle Hill. On Wednesday, April 4 at 8pm Julian Brown, the Castle Hill Ranger, will be coming along to the Pie Hall to give an illustrated talk on the history of the hill, which was first inhabited 4000 years ago and Victoria Tower, opened in 1899 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s 60 year reign over the British Empire. Julian will have a wealth of stories to tell in what is sure to be an interesting and informative talk and will be on hand to answer our questions on the future of the hill which has been subject to much recent speculation. This is a non-radio related talk so if you fancy bringing along your YL or XYL they would be made most welcome at what is sure to be another enjoyable evening. The society is always pleased to hear from you and your feedback is important.

Denby Dale Bowling Club is working with the Bowls Development Alliance to grow the sport of bowls. The club is offering four free taster days where anyone can come along and have a go at bowling. Bowls will be provided and you will be shown how to bowl. The sessions are on Friday 13, Saturday 14, Friday 20 and Saturday 21 of April, from 10am to 12noon at the club on Cuckstool Road Denby Dale. All ages are welcome – people are never too old to bowl and it is great family fun.

KIRKBURTON

Kirkburton and Denby Dale NPT PCSOs Kerry Woodcock and Chris Nalson are offering small business owners crime prevention advice. Request a visit by calling 01484 436898.

SHELLEY

Last Thursday’s meeting of Shelley Over 60s, in the Village Hall, was well attended. The whist high of 93 was won by Brian Nelson and the low of 68 went to oldest member Fred Huddle with a score of 68 from eight tables. The prize for the bingo line was won by Kathleen Proctor and the full house shared between Lily Walker and Walter Astin. No one had the first three numbers on one card, so the prize carried over until the next meeting. There were five birthdays – Shirley Barker, Pauline Workman, Rita Jennings, Helen Earnshaw and Barbara Wadsworth. Raffle prizes were won by Harry and Jenny Rose, Margaret Schofield, Sylvia Deeley, Vera Wilkinson, Robin Small and Joan Parker.

SKELMANTHORPE

Last Wednesday, Skelmanthorpe Historical Society heard and saw the story of the Bamforth family, of Holmfirth. This extraordinary family were originally decorators, but developed into portrait photography, short films and their famous postcards. Katina Bill, who works for Kirklees at the Tolson Museum, described the pictures. The society meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Darby and Joan Hall in Skelmanthorpe.

Emley Methodist Church shared in worship at Skelmanthorpe Methodist Church on Sunday morning. The preacher was the Rev Dr Roger Walton, chairman of the West Yorkshire Methodist District. As it was Palm Sunday, the hymns and readings were appropriate for the day and palm crosses were displayed. A psalm was read and Jennifer Brooks read from St Mark's gospel on the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Dr Walton emphasised important lessons from these readings. The music group accompanies one of the hymns. The organist was Bernard Jagger. Ailsa Horton was the steward and refreshments were served afterwards by Patrick Tyas, Susan Radley, Carole Charlesworth and Lin Pearson.