BIRDSEDGE

Birdsedge Village Hall: The hall was the venue for the BOLT (Birdsedge and district Opposition to Large Turbines) exhibition on Saturday showing pictures, maps and recommended figures as to where wind turbines of the size suggested, should or should not be built. More that 100 people visited the hall and most learnt more about how very large wind turbines affect the areas they are built in. The proposed windfarm is of four very large turbines. An earlier ‘exhibition’ had been held in the church schoolroom, Birdsedge by Pure Renewable Energies and their consultants Parsons Brinckerhoff on the Friday and Saturday. Steve Ashley, chairman of the BOLT committee writes: “Their proposal is to build four 120 metre high turbines across the top of the village. People thought that the display was intended to explain everything clearly and would convince residents that it was a suitable thing to happen. Instead the photographs, with superimposed turbines, were very ambiguous showing nothing of the nearby houses. The views were from so far away that the turbines appeared insignificant. Personally I found that the officials present offered no convincing evidence or even tried to get their point across. It smacked of arrogance and lack of concern for any resident. BOLT, (who were waiting in the cold outside the exhibition), gave much clearer evidence of why they should not be built in the proposed areas. Though not opposed at all to wind turbines as such, they are strongly opposed to ignoring recommendations as to how far they should be built to residential areas, including a school, regarding noise, flicker and ice fling. An intended fifth turbine has been dropped because of noise levels so we assume the others are now very, very close to the limit. The Kirklees guidance on “setback” suggests a minimum of 800 to 900 metres – the whole of the nearby estate and the junior school fall well within these limits. There are a few people in favour, some with vested interests, but by far the greater number is against and not just because the only people to benefit will be land owners and construction people. In total, including time from construction to de-construction, energy saved will be negligible. The land will not be returned to its original state after decommissioning. We understand the bottom has dropped out of farming, we see it every day, but definitely don’t think that turbines so close when there is plenty of empty land slightly further away, is an answer. We already have Royd Moor Hill wind farm and a proposed site, by EON, near the top of the lane. This sort of green energy is very inefficient.”The popular Quiz Night on Friday was won by ‘The Three Degrees’. The next quiz will be held on Friday April 30. There will be no more Tea Dances until after the summer, probably resuming in September. Tania Opland and Mike Freeman will be performing at the hall on Sunday April 11. Artisan will start the evening as part of their reunion tour. Ring 01484-606230 for tickets and information.

Birdsedge Church: The Palm Sunday service was taken by Glynn Ellis. He talked about how the week started with celebrations at Jesus’ arrival, Jews were turning to Jesus’ teachings when they heard of how he’d raised Lazarus from the dead. Glynn quoted instances in the Old Testament where it foretold of the ride into Jerusalem on a donkey. The week quickly goes downhill as the jealous Pharisees plan to get Jesus and Lazarus killed. The Easter Sunday service will be taken by Junior Church. A free cooked breakfast will be served from 9am, before tomorrow’s Easter Sunday Service at 10.30am. Everyone will be made welcome.

A Spring Fair will be held next Saturday, April 10. Refreshments will be served from 10.30am and lunches from 11.30am. There will be a home produce stall and tombola. Money raised will go towards refurbishing the church.

CLAYTON WEST

The Clayton West Men's Society held their AGM. on Friday March 26. After much deliberation it was unanimously decided that the society should be drawn to a close due to the decline in numbers. The decision was not taken lightly as the society has been in existence for the past 60 years. Mr Eddie Smith expressed his disappointment as he was one of our founder members. The society would like to thank anyone who has contributed in any way over the years. A special thank you to all officials, speakers and committee members.

A Parish Eucharist to celebrate Palm Sunday was held at All Saints on Sunday, with the celebrant the Rev Joy Cousans. Readings were prepared and delivered by Mavis Brooke and Raymond Parker from Psalms and the Gospel of Luke respectively. Ann and Michael Bunn, Cathy Reardon, Steve Barrans and the Rev Joy took part in a short re-enactment of the Gospel reading. Kate Currie (reader in training) based her talk on the events of Palm Sunday, suggesting that there were two avenues of thought which came from the day – one of the celebration of Jesus returning to Jerusalem as someone very special; and the second – knowing that the events after disturbing the stall holders in the temple in Jerusalem, would lead to the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus, the ‘passion’. Kate explained how the power of music can transcend our thoughts of the events leading up to Easter day, whether it be in celebration or in contrition. Prayers were led by Olivia England and George Lane. Refreshments at the end of the service were served by Stephanie Spence and Marjorie Brown.

All Saints’ Church has hosted the Lent groups for Churches Together this year – all based on the theme of prayer. Each week the meetings were led by people from the different churches, each with a different approach to both personal and public prayer. Exploration of each approach was encouraged during the sessions. The whole course was well attended.

A coffee morning will be held today (Saturday) from 10.30am- noon, during which it is also intended to decorate the church for Easter.

DENBY DALE

The final Churches Together Lent meeting held at the Zion Wesleyan Reform Chapel on Tuesday evening was led by Tom Richardson. The Spring Fair held on Saturday raised over £470 for chapel funds. On Sunday morning the members of the Sunday School made final preparations for Easter. The preacher at the Palm Sunday evening service was Phil Kerr from Saltaire. The pianist was Robert Nuttall. On Easter Sunday there will be a Family Service at 10.30am and the 6pm evening service will include Holy Communion.

EMLEY

The final Lent Course at Emley St Michael’s Parish ChurchEnjoying Refreshment was held on Tuesday. A joint Communion Service with Flockton Church was celebrated on Palm Sunday morning by the Rev Christine Bullimore. All received palm crosses. The choir and congregation processed outside church and down the main street singing All Glory Laud and Honor and waving their crosses. Sophie Ryder and Gill Marsh read the Bible, Sallie Dickins led prayers and Malcolm Jessop played the organ. Malcolm Tracey gave the sermon based on Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Malcolm drew attention to Jerusalem still being a city of strife and questioned whether Christians today accept Christ’s Kingship in their daily lives. . The children had made collages representing palm crosses using their hands as a template. Tributes were paid to Malcolm Tracey by the Rev Chris and Margaret Popplewell. A reader at St Michael’s for more than 30 years, he worked in many churches in the area. A gift was made to Malcolm and wife Sue in appreciation of dedicated service and to wish them well on their new life in Spain. Services are to be held daily during Holy Week. There will be no meetings or mid week services during the first week after Easter.

KIRKBURTON

Meg Tibbott welcomed the congregation to Sunday morning Sung Eucharist at All Hallows, led by the Rev Graham Whitcroft. Sidesmen Joy Elson and Pauline Pinder handed out palm crosses and Gwen Lodge read from St Paul’s letter to the Philippians and spoke of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem from Matthew. Mr Whitcroft spoke on the crowd’s reception to his arrival. John Marshall and Norman Berry took-up the chalice and paten and the Rev Robert Chambers was assisted by reader Janet Roberts and pastoral minister, Betty Cross. Music was provided by Doreen Barraclough and refreshments were served by Edie Brookes and Margaret Haigh. In the evening churchwarden Mr Glyn Phillips led a special service of Encounter to mark Palm Sunday. Carol Keighley gave the reading and pastoral minister Malcolm Tibbott read from St Matthew. Music was by the church music group.

Sandra Spivey was leader when Burton Friendship Club met at the Hub on Tuesday and she brought colour slides of London. Raffle winner was Mr G Hibbertson and tea was served by Mesdames, Ellis, Ramsay and Slack.

On Friday evening a Supper Dance was held at the Hub to help raise money for the purchase of the building for the community. DJ Mr A Hicks provided music and there were raffle prizes of a gift voucher, books, Easter eggs and plants donated by local businesses. Thanks were expressed to those who had helped make the evening a success.

SHELLEY

Members of Shelley Over 60s Club held their weekly meeting in the village hall last Thursday. The bingo line was won by Arthur Pollard and the full house by Vera Wilkinson. The first three numbers on one card was not claimed and the prizemoney carried forward to the next meeting. The whist high of 94 was won by Dorothy Jessop and the low of 63 went to Fred Huddle from eight tables. The monthly Minibus Draw was won by Audrey Heppleton. Birthday greetings went to Kathleen Code, Carol Holloway and Pauline Workman. Raffle prizes were won by Alice Bryden, Eunice Ramsden, Margaret Laycock, Jo Morrisey, Joan Cope and Dora Mettrick.

SKELMANTHORPE

Rodney Mee of Lepton was the preacher for Sunday morning service at the Wesleyan Reform Chapel. His Bible reading was from Luke. John Orton was the organist. Palm Crosses were given out to members of the congregation by Celia Pickles. Susan Wright provided refreshments.

On Monday, Skelmanthorpe Wives’ Group met at the Methodist Church, Pilling Lane, to view the DVD of their pantomime Dick Whittington and His Cat which was presented by Rose Merry. The video of the pantomime was filmed and produced by Stuart Merry. A vote of thanks was proposed by the hosts for the evening, June Pearson and Margaret Stephenson, who also provided supper afterwards. Christine Senior played the piano for the hymn.

UPPER DENBY

Winifred Wheable-Archer, a councillor for many years, was the speaker at the February meeting of the Women’s Institute, speaking about the history of her own home – The New Inn, a de-regulated pub, now named The Old Tavern. She described title deeds and brewery documents and fascinating correspondence. A vote of thanks was proposed by president Mrs J Roebuck. A competition for an heirloom was won by C Wynn, with H Armitage second and J Roebuck third. C Wynn won the raffle. Competition crystal jewellery was displayed at the March 9 meeting.