Denby Dale Parish Council Chairman Clr Eddy Shaw visited Denby First School with his wife to present the children with a cheque for £300. Clr Shaw gave a talk about his chains and asked the children what they would be spending the money on and was told gardening equipment.

Yoga classes continue on Monday evenings - anyone wanting to have a go should contact the school.

The Denby First School cricket A team came second at a cricket festival at Kirkburton Cricket Club.

A whole school trip to Scarborough and the Sea Life Centre happened on Wednesday and on Thursday the school held a French day with plenty of dancing, speaking and food.

On Friday and Saturday a whole school family camp out was held in the school field with a picnic and games some of the activities.

Rev T Peter Arnold of Skelmanthorpe was the preacher at a service led by Miss Ann Dunn at Denby Dale Methodist Church. The lessons were read by Elizabeth Bailey-Tyson, Dorothy Hunt and Tim Stower. The stewards were Jeanette Lodge and Steve Thursby and the organ was played by David Biltcliffe. Coffee was served by Judith Howell. Tomorrow, a service of Summer Praise will be held, with hymns and reading chosen by the congregation.

EMLEY

Ian Hadfield and Lucy Gale were married at St Michael’s Church on Saturday by the Rev John Marsh.

In the evening a Gala Concert by Emley Brass Band and children from Emley First School entertained a large audience. Money raised will go towards a Grand Picnic in the Park for all villagers, to be held next summer.

On Sunday morning Worship For All included a short Communion service led by the Rev Chris Bullimore. In the afternoon, ten gardens were open in the village. In spite of the changeable weather, this proved an enjoyable occasion. Refreshments and strawberry teas were served in church. Next Sunday at 6pm, Thierry will share his remarkable story. He was ordained a Roman Catholic priest and he spent 20 years in a Carthusian monastery. He is now training in the Anglican church.

FLOCKTON

Flockton Ladies Group held an auction recently, organised by Brenda Lightowler and Glenda Rhodes and raised £32.40 towards funds. A Domino Evening was held on June 25. The next two meetings of the group will be on Wednesdays July 16 and 30.

St James’ Church has launched a Patronal Festival and Gift Day, with special service of celebration – including parish communion – at 10.45am on Sunday July 27. Gift Aid donation envelopes have been distributed with the July issue of The Lamp to raise much-needed funds.

St James’ Church will have a stall at Emley Show on Saturday August 2.

Rev Laurie Brookes led the Midweek Communion service on Wednesday lunchtime at St James’s, and presided at the Eucharist.

The service at St James’s on the seventh Sunday after Trinity was Parish Communion at 9.15am. Rev Laurie Brookes led the service, Ann Wild read the Old Testament lesson and Peter Crow read from the Paul’s Letter to the Romans; Rev John Marsh proclaimed the Gospel and preached the sermon, Peter Crow led the prayers and played the organ and Laurie presided at the Eucharist. There was a very brief meeting of the Parochial Church Council in Church immediately following the service.

KIRKBURTON

There were two services in All Hallows Parish Church on the seventh Sunday after Trinity.

At 10.30, the worshippers were greeted by Maureen Etchells and Michaelia Schindler for the service of Sung Eucharist, led by the Rev Graham Whitcroft. Doreen Slater read the Prayers of Intercession and there were readings from the twentieth chapter of the Gospel according to St John and the fifth chapter of St Paul’s Letter to the Galatians.

Mr Whitcroft preached the sermon on Learning from the Life of St Thomas. The vessels were taken to the altar by Christine Rangeley and Rita Ellam. Reader Janet Roberts and pastoral minister Betty Cross assisted Mr Whitcroft at the distribution. Sidesman were Mrs Ellam and Pauline Pinder and they took up the collection. After the service refreshments were served to the worshippers.

Reader Janet Roberts led the service of Evensong taking for her theme God’s Saving Grace. Doreen Brennan gave the reading from Romans and Mrs Cross read from the Gospel according to St Matthew. Doreen Barraclough was the organist for the day.

Hazel Ramsay welcomed members to the Burton Friendship Club when they met for their weekly meeting in the former Salvation Army Hall – now called The Hub. She introduced Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator, David Whitterton and Police Community Support Officer, PCSO Judith Brimicombe who are based at Kirkburton Police Station. They gave a talk about the neighbourhood watch scheme and crime prevention. Tea was served by Mesdames Maude, Heeley and Fagin.

SHELLEY

Shelley Community Association meetings in the village hall on the second Monday of each month at 7.30pm in the committee room. All residents of Shelley are welcome. Telephone Ann on 604486 or Malcolm on 609032 for more information.

Fair Trade – the story of the beginnings and rise of the Co-Op – will be performed by the Mikron Theatre at Shelley Village Hall on Saturday September 20 at 7.30pm. This huge slice of social history is served up with a dollop of good fun and music. A bar will be available. Tickets are £9 (concessions £8).

Emmanuel Church will celebrate its 140th anniversary with Miscellany on Saturday September 6 at 7.30pm. Tickets, at £7, include a glass of wine.

The house-to-house collection in Shelley for Christian Aid raised £1,363.46. Local organisers Elizabeth Wray and Janet Brook thank all who carried out the collection and those who gave so generously.

Shelley Over 60s held their meeting at the village hall last Thursday. The bingo line was won by Joan Cope, who received £10 in Armitage’s Garden Centre vouchers and the full house went to Enid Fisher who received £20 in garden vouchers. The first three numbers on one card was not won. The whist high of 92 was won by Phyliss Grange. The low of 64 went to Kathleen Stevenson from nine tables. Birthday wishes were given to Pat Foster, Mary Milnes, who celebrated being 90 years young and Jean Eskerett. Raffle winners were Edith Brookes, Joyce Armitage, Berenice Hornsey and Betty Russell. Jean Eskerett was welcomed as a new member.

To celebrate the club’s 30th anniversary, over 80 members enjoyed a buffet lunch prior to the normal meeting and after, strawberries and cream (courtesy of Sylvia Stevenson) were served. In the evening a barbecue at Shelley Cricket Club was held.

On Tuesday July 3 a party of 45 had a very enjoyable trip to Skegness.

If you are about to start a full-time course at university or college, live in Shelley are are under 25, you could be eligible for a grant from the Shelley Educational Foundation to help with the purchase of textbooks and materials. Apply for a form from secretary Ann Priestman, 18 Cleveland Way, Shelley (604486). Closing date for applications is Friday October 1.

SKELMANTHORPE

The Autumn Festival of Sung Holy Communion on Saturday October 18 – the Feast of St Luke – in St Aidan’s Church will follow a Liturgy according to the 1662 Prayer Book rite and will be in honour of St Maria Bertilla Boscardin (1888-1922), Saint of Humility. “We warmly welcome all Prayer Book Society members or not, who have an interest in keeping the ethos and beauty of the Book of Common Prayer as a living core within the church, including those who also value the more recent rites”, said the Rev Philip Reynolds, who is chairman of the Wakefield branch of the Prayer Book Society.

Sung Mass at St Aidan on the theme of 'Grace' celebrated by the Rev Philip Reynolds. Sarah Bashora-Guyo, Susan McDonagh and Trevor Langley performed a sketch. Biblical readings were given by Victoria Cox, and Molly Batty read a poem. Christopher Ward and Victoria Cox led the intercessions. Refreshments were served by Anne Dyson and Sue Haines. Philip celebrated the early morning Mass, and baptised William Isherwood at a later service. The Mothers' Union held a fund raising event this week.

Mr Barry Parker of Sprotborough was preacher for Sunday morning service at the Wesleyan Reform Church in Skelmanthorpe. His bible readings taken from Matthew were read by Celia Pickles. Holy Communion was held during the service. The steward was Celia Pickles. Organist was John Orton.

STOCKSMOOR

Results from the last two meetings of Stocksmoor Bridge Club were: June 26– 24 players and 24 boards played. Winners: north/south, 1 Margaret Bailey and Aina Mitchell, 2 Margaret Sandell and Ann Barnett, 3 John and Maureen McGee; east/west, 1 Chris Pilling and Susan Clegg, 2 Anne Thackray and Ruth Hirst, 3 Jean Shaw and Jesse Daniel. The director was John McGee.

July 3 – 24 players - 24 boards played. Winners: north/south, 1 Peggy Pogson and Andrew Stephens, 2 John Pearson and Terence Farrar, 3 Hilda Green and Kath Scaramuzza; east/west, 1 Maurice Cooper and Carol Kaye, 2 Lorna Mallinson and Jesse Daniel, 3 Enid Covell and Maureen Russell. The director was Walter Dowlen.