BIRDSEDGE
Fears that snow would hit attendance at the Village Hall Luncheon Club proved totally unfounded as there were more people than expected and lunches sold out! Satisfied customers enjoyed the homemade traditional fare, especially the regulars who ate free. Bookings may be necessary next year. The ‘staff’ had to make do with chips, stuffing and an extra sent-for Christmas pud – but it was well worth it. The Luncheon Club on Thursday December 30 served meat and potato pie and lemon sponge.
Quiz Night went well, the winners being The Black Sheep team. The next quiz will be on Friday January 28.
Linda Jacob took the service of carols and readings with the help of volunteers and a small brass group. Her message was that Jesus was sent for everybody – the shepherds, considered very disreputable people, were the first to be told of the birth and they hurried off to find him as soon as they heard. She finished the service with John 1, verses 1-14 – The Word Became Flesh. There was a service on Christmas Day, but no service on the Sunday.
Carols were sung round the Christmas tree, accompanied by a brass group, on Christmas Eve and refreshments were served in the village hall.
CLAYTON WEST
The Carol Service at the Methodist Church was led by the Superintendent Minister the Rev David Hall. The lighting of the fourth Advent candle was by Beryl Holt and Les Barber, who also read from Matthew. Jean Heath read the story of the birth of Jesus and the visit of the shepherds from Luke’s Gospel. Hobson’s Chorus sang two groups of songs, conducted by Jane Hobson and accompanied on the piano by Craig Schofield. The stewards were Betty Booth and Joan Bond, who also gave the gift of flowers for the communion table. After the service Beryl Holt served coffee, mince pies, and biscuits.
The afternoon fellowship enjoyed their Christmas meeting on Tuesday, December 14. Carols and readings were chosen and afterwards a Christmas tea was shared.
The Christmas period has seen All Saints’ Church, Clayton West celebrate the birth of Jesus with full houses – starting with the Advent candlelit service and the choir’s contributions to the festival of Carols and Readings at St Augustine’s Church, Scissett. An augmented group of singers raised money for the Laura Crane Trust, around the village. The children’s and family service on Christmas Eve was presented by George Lane and Olivia England – with lots of participation from the children themselves. The service of Parish Communion on Christmas morning saw the building decorated by individual parishioners using a theme of a Christmas Carol.
DENBY DALE
Well over 100 candles shone out at the Candlelight Carol service at the Zion Wesleyan Reform Chapel on Sunday December 19 where the congregation gathered to sing their favourite carols and hear the traditional Christmas Bible readings. There were more carols from the Singing group and members of the Sunday School sang Away in a Manger from the stable. The evening finished with everyone tucking into mince pies and chocolate cake.
EMLEY
On Thursday December 16 a Christmas Choir concert was held in church. Due to illness guest performers Sapphire were unable to attend. A variety of Christmas music was performed under musical director Mavis Jessop accompanied on piano and organ by Malcolm Jessop. The audience joined in a number of carols and a Christmas sing-along. Mulled wine and mince pies were served and three large Christmas hampers raffled.
On Sunday morning December 19 a carol service was held. The Christmas bible story was told from sections of the Bible. Readers were Rebecca Tullet, Jayne Ryder, Sophie Ryder, Evelyn Barrow and Michael Hull. Mary Roberts lit the fourth Advent candle commemorating the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus. A musical interlude by Isabella Yates on flute, and George Liverage on guitar was appreciated by all. The Music Group accompanied some of the carols and Malcolm Jessop played piano and organ. The choir sang In The Bleak Mid Winter, appropriate as temperature was -5C. Christmas refreshments were served. Later the Rev Christine Bullimore baptised Asha Jade Green, daughter of Jason and Pauline. In the evening a service of |Holy Communion was held. There was no mid-week services or meetings between December 27 and January 2.
It was standing room only on Christmas Eve for the Christingle Service held at St Michael’s Church on Christmas Eve. Carols were enjoyed by all especially the children some dressed for the nativity scene. The church looked magnificent illuminated by candle light and Christingles.
Christmas Family Communion was celebrated in the morning by Reverend Christine Bullimore. Children were invited to show their presents to the congregation. Sallie Dickins read the Bible, Gill Marsh led prayers and Malcolm Jessop played the organ. In her talk Chris remaindered us that Jesus came into the world for the poor and needy and questioned whether today we remembered to care and help the poor and needy today.
KIRKBURTON
There were two services in All Hallows Parish Church on the fourth Sunday of Advent. In the morning Mrs Meg Tibbott welcomed the worshippers to the service of Sung Eucharist led by the Rev Graham Whitcroft. The prayers of intercession were read by Mrs Sue Whitcroft. Mrs Joanne Smith gave a reading from the first chapter of the first book of St Paul’s letter to the Corinthians and Mrs Jean Sutcliffe read from the first chapter of Gospel of St Matthew. The fourth Advent candle was lit and Mr Whitcroft preached the sermon taking for his theme, the story of Joseph.Mr Whitcroft was assisted at the distribution by the Rev Robert Chambers and Mrs Hilary Berry.The duties of sidesmen were performed by Mr and Mrs John Marshall and the music was provided by organist, Mrs Doreen Barraclough. After the services refreshments were served by Mrs Smith and Mrs Sutcliffe.
On Sunday evening a large congregation, drawn from the community, braved the bitter cold to attend the annual Carol Service at the old parish church. The welcome and opening prayers were given by the Rev Geoff Clay. In his sermon he took for his theme, Keeping Jesus in Christmas. The eight traditional carols were interspersed with gospel readings by Caroline from The Flying Ferret, Dave Roberts, Olivia from Highburton First School, Anita from Luv2Iron, PC Sally Baines and Mrs Lynn Rutter, head teacher of Highburton First School. Mr Clay and the Rev Robert Chambers led the prayers and there was singing by the combined voices of scholars from the two village schools and there was an appeal by Tina Skeldon on behalf of Supporting People in Crisis, Kirklees, and the collection, taken by four children from Kirkburton First School, raised of over £300 for the Welcome Centre and Mission Cafe.
On Tuesday, a party from All Hallows Parish Church led by the Rev Geoff Clay, reader Mrs Janet Roberts and pastoral ministers, Mrs Betty Cross and Mr Malcolm Tibbott, along with Mrs Hazel Ramsay, Mrs Freda Crabb, Mrs Pauline Pinder, Mrs Margaret Haigh and Mrs Theresa Quarmby, visited the Croftlands home for the elderly to present a short Christmas service. They told the story of the birth of Jesus with readings fromŠthe Bible and led the residents in singing favourite carols.
SHELLEY
Members of Shelley Over 60s Club held their Christmas party and final meeting of 2010 in the village hall on Thursday December 16. Some 120 people sat down to a lovely meal and enjoyed performances by the club choir and handbell ringers. Carols were sung and games of bingo were played. The winner of the line was Mary Hobson and the full house was won by Walter Downs. The first three numbers on one card was won and the winner received £10. Members were then entertained by Nancy Whittacre, who was well received by all. The first meeting of 2011 will be next Thursday, January 6, The following members celebrate a birthday before then – Pat Bradshaw, Chris Sharpe Carole Wilson, Elizabeth Wray, Duncan Smith, Pat Shaw, Walter Downs (90), Joan Parker, Rene Biggin, Margaret Slater, Christine Earnshaw, Margaret Vickers, Irene Triggs, Dora Mettrick, Kathleen Stevenson, Barbara Fawcett, David Matthews (70) Margaret Schofield, Bessie Exley and Audrey Williams. The club would like to thank caterer and servers, Nancy Whittace and all those who helped with the party in any way, and made it such a success
SKELMANTHORPE
On Sunday December 19 at Skelmanthorpe Methodist Church, a Nativity Play was given by the children and adults who played traditional parts in the Nativity story, which had a twist to it and some funny jokes. This was led by Barbara Casson. Clare Dodsley was the steward and Christine Senior played the organ.
On the Sunday evening, Rev David Priestnall led the carol singing around the Christmas tree at the Triangle, accompanied by Skelmanthorpe Band. Despite the very cold weather, there was a good turn out and the band played very well.
On Christmas Day at Skelmanthorpe Methodist Church the service was led by Stuart Merry, the theme of which was Reflections on the meaning of Christmas. During Advent, Posada had been wending its way around the village shops and businesses representing Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of a place to stay. So it was on Christmas Day that the Posada figures of Mary, Joseph and donkey were received into church and placed in the full Nativity with the baby Jesus. Members of the congregation and the children brought family gifts which they had received from Santa to show to each other. Readings were given by Rose Merry and John Senior. Bernard Jaggar was the organist.
