Members and friends of the Association of Christian Fellowship from St. Barnabas’ Church enjoyed their annual day’s outing planned by Welcome Day’s Out . This year they travelled by coach to Knutsford in Cheshire where they were met by the courier for the day and visited the Penny Farthing Museum and Courtyard Coffee Shop. After a welcome cup of coffee, members looked round the town of Knutsford with its historic connection to Elizabeth Gaskell and Cranford and were also fascinated to see the remarkable 40-foot long Millennium Tapestry housed in its own custom-built gallery. It was learned that Knutsford earned its name from King Canute crossing the ford. After rejoining the coach the next stop was for lunch at the Oaklands Hotel, after which there was a coach tour round the area with the courier pointing out places of interest. Back in Knutsford the party said goodbye to the courier, before visiting the last stop at the old stable yard, cafe and gift shop at Tatton Park where members enjoyed afternoon tea. A vote of thanks was proposed to the secretary Kathleen Pratt for organising the outing.

GOLCAR

The St John’s church annual Garden Party was held on the vicarage lawn last Saturday. Live music was by Arien Sound. Lots of stalls, games, a play area for children, ice cream, hot dogs and afternoon tea served in the community room raised money for church funds. Canon Martyn Crompton welcomed the congregation to the family communion and the Sunday Club prizegiving service at St John’s Church. Twenty-five children received books, presented by Sue Starr, who paid tribute to the work and commitment of the teachers. The theme of the serve was Making Waves. Chris Bamford read a story with actions on the words Stone, Puddle, Waves and Splash, depicting how in life we can make good or bad waves. Maggie Cuss gave the Bible reading from Matthew Chapter 13 and Helen Bentley gave the address. The Rev Cannon Martyn was the celebrant for Holy Communion,. Prayers were led by Sylvia Hanson and children from Sunday Club and Sunday Youth. The children illustrated Gold’s love by surrounding the entire congregation with a continuous role of paper and all sang Gold’s Love is Like a Circle. Ann Norton played piano and organ and Helen Davies the guitar.

Golcar Providence Church Sunday morning worship was led by Andrew Marchington. Barbara Brook, Winifred Ellis and Sheila Pearson gave readings. Chris Pearson was organist.

At the Sunday school anniversary at Golcar Baptist Church the service was led by the Rev Chris Thompson, the organist was Calinda Stockhill and the pianist was Chris Woodhead. During the service all the congregation were in a Sunday school situation, this was led by Michelle Thompson and the story of Peter being released from prison was enacted.

LINTHWAITE

The Rev Jo Archer-Siddall led the morning worship at Linthwaite Methodist Church which was the 18th Anniversary of the Church Centre and included Holy Communion. Rev Jo showed the children a tiny Bible and then a very large ‘family’ Bible, and challenged them and the whole congregation to read their Bible daily. The children left for Sunday School after their address with their leaders Andrea Morley and Susan Haigh. Ian Baxter read from Acts 14 v8-20 the story of Paul in Lystra and where he suffered many emotions from being celebrated, to being stoned and thrown out of the city and then despite being hurt went back into Lystra. The theme of the Sermon was to ask the congregation if they were prepared to go on a journey and ‘get on board’ and go wherever Christ would take them. Communion stewards were Adrian Calverley, John Morrison and Ian Baxter and Linda Nuttall was the organist.

On Sunday afternoon there was a car rally and afternoon tea organised by the Tombola Ladies from the Methodist Church. Mr Henry Tennant set the route and questions, and the event finished up at the home of Chris and Fiona Woodhead in Golcar. The event was won by the Baxter team, comprising of Lesley Baxter in the driving seat, Ian Baxter, their son Philip and all ably assisted by Ali Dwyer.

MARSDEN

Holy Communion at St Bartholomew’s Church was led by the Rev Geoff Clay. The preacher was J Biggs and the organist James Harker. The readers were B Mitchell, prayers by Alison Gibson and sidespersons were Elizabeth Knight, Elsie Lingard, and D Lodge. Coffee was served after the service by P Burgess, G Ward and E Laidlaw.

A pig roast will be held on Friday, July 10, 7.30pm at the Parochial Hall. Tickets £8 adults, £4 children. Entertainment by Riding West Country and Western Music Group. Bar available. The Operatic Summer Show will be held from July 30 until August 1 at the Parochial Hall.

A veterans’ event hosted by the British Legion and arranged by Kali Mountford and staff members and members of the RBL on Friday, June 26. Kali Mountford and artist Linda Stott presented medals to veterans. Catering was provided by Ashby’s in Slaithwaite. This event was well attended by Colne Valley Veterans and friends. The event was sponsored by Unite the Union.

A sponsored walk in aid of Help for Heroes from Golcar Legion to Marsden Legion raised £2,000. On Saturday, August 2 heavy rock group Lizard will be performing at 9pm.

At Marsden United Church the service was led by Jean Broome, the readers were Carl Butters, Margaret Casson, Marjorie Boothroyd and Kathleen Jackson. The organist was Christine Gledhill and the power point was by Richard Woffenden.

MILNSBRIDGE

A midweek bible class was held on Wednesday when Mr A Walker from Milnsbridge led a discussion on the bible readings for the day. On Sunday evening Mr P McAvoy from Chesterfield, gave a talk on Promises Promises.

PARKWOOD

A drop in lunch was held at Parkwood Methodist Church on Wednesday. Minced beef and vegetable pie, mashed potatoes, cabbage, melon and berry fruit salad, apple sponge or treacle sponge, tea or coffee were served, organised by Sheila Swaine and Robin Whittams and helped by church ladies. Golcar Gala Day was held on Saturday, organised by Parkwood Uniformed Group leaders and helpers, with all the fun of the fair and charity stalls. Entertainment was by Golcar Band, the Pennine High Fliers, Adrian Smith, UK Strong Man, and music from HD Ready. Marion Lloyd welcomed the congregation to a communion service at Parkwood Methodist Church on Sunday morning. Guest preacher was the Rev Colin Veere assisted by Elaine Oldham, reader Sandra McSweeney, communion stewards Rene Wyatt and Audrey Holdsworth. Coffee was served after the service by Gill Ritchie and Christine and Liam Johnson.

SLAITHWAITE

Slaithwaite Good Companions last Thursday made their summer outing a Lancashire Day out. After picking up the courier at The Tickled Trout the first stop was at Kirby Lonsdale for coffee. It was market day, and many members visited the beautiful 12th century St Mary’s Church. Lunch was at Marton Arms Hotel near Ingleton. This was followed by a drive round Bowland, then along the promenade at Morecambe and a trip on a canal boat with refreshments, from Hest Bank to Lancaster over the famous Lune Aqueduct. Club members saw kingfishers, heron, two pairs of swans each with their young signets and many wild flowers and water lilies. before rejoining the coach for the journey home. Yet another enjoyable day with lovely summer weather and again organised by Maureen Weaving, the club secretary who was thanked by Pauline Ayre.

St James Church Holy communion service was led by the Rev Robin Townsend assisted by Raymond Denton. Lessons were Chris Dunkeyson, the address was by the Rev Robin and prayers were by Dorothy Gledhill The pianist was Hiroko Townsend and the organist was Alvy Whitehead.

Mr Stuart Rudd of Lindley led Sunday morning worship at the Methodist Church. The theme of his sermon was Giving. Readings from from Luke by Wendy Redfearn, the story of the Good Samaritan and from Paul’s Letters to the Corinthians by Marjorie Crowther. Organist was Shirley Scott.

Members and friends watched the moving film Boy in the Striped Pyjamas,on Monday. The evening was organised by the Rev Joanne Archer-Siddal and Jennifer Twycross.

The Women’s Fellowship held their last meeting on Tuesday afternoon before taking their summer break. Ann Walker read a poem by Eddie Askew and offered prayers before introducing church member Steven Perkins who had brought along slides of a short holiday break he and Jenny took in February to the ski slopes at Aviemore. They left home in snow only to find snow in Scotland which resulted in the most amazing and beautiful snow sceens. Birthday wishes were sung for Mary Hurst and birthday cake enjoyed after the talk.