Birdsedge Village Hall is getting back to business after cancellations were made because of the very bad weather and road conditions. Today (Saturday) there will be a children’s film morning from 10am. Admission free. From 7pm, the same day, a WII Games Night will be held.

The Hospice Support Group held a coffee morning with lunches in the church hall and raised £390, thanks to very good support. The next fund raiser will be a Beetle Drive on Saturday March 6 at 6.30pm in the Village Hall.

Linda and Malcolm Jacobs took the family service at Birdsedge Church. The reading about Jairus's daughter and the ill woman who touched Jesus' garment was the subject discussed. Malcolm used the idea of a large crowd at a football match to illustrate the impossibility of one of us asking asking who had touched us. Jesus knew that someone who needed help had touched him in the crowd surrounding him.

CLAYTON WEST

A service of Parish Communion was held at 9.15am on February 14 at All Saints’ Church, Clayton West. Readings were presented by Raymond Parker and Olivia England from Exodus (34 vv29-end) and the Gospel of Luke (9 vv28-36)respectively. The celebrant was the Rural Dean Rev. Chris. Bullimore whose focus for the service was that of the Sunday before Lent. Lent is a period of reflection for Christians, so what does God want us to do during this time and how could this transform our community? Prayers for the wider world were offered by Kath McDaid. After the service, refreshments were available for the whole congregation, served by Wynn Leake and Jayne Stanley.

Morning worship at the Methodist Church was led by Frances Priestnall, who spoke about our search for God and his plan for our lives. The lesson from St John was read by Rosalyn Beevers, Jane Hobson read from the book of Kings in the Old Testament, and also played the piano. Prayers of intercession were read by Wendy Barber and Peter Holt. Gifts of chocolate hearts from Frances helped us to remember on Valentines Day our love for family and friends. Stewards were Maxine Lodge and Diana Hunt. Flowers for the communion table were a gift from Josie Jebson. After the service Beryl Holt served coffee and biscuits.

The Tuesday afternoon fellowship welcomed Adrian Lindley who showed pictures of famous religious paintings which illustrated the music he played from the Messiah. Beryl Holt thanked him for an interesting talk and afterwards everyone enjoyed refreshments.

DENBY DALE

There were no mid week meetings this week at Zion Wesleyan Reform Chapel owing to the illness of the Pastor. The Children of Israel crossing the Red Sea was the theme of the Sunday School on Sunday Morning. Robert Nuttall continued his series of sermons based on the letter of James. The service was led by Mike Hopcroft and the Bible was read by Margaret Cocking ad Cynthia Nuttall. There will be a Family Service at 10.30am on Sunday morning and Robert will continue his series of sermons on the letter of James at 6pm.

EMLEY

On Friday evening Shelley Music Centre Big Band under musical Director Jamie O’Brien gave a concert in Emley Parish Church. A wide variety of jazz including Mambo No 5 and American Patrol were greatly enjoyed; a number of soloists on a variety of instruments performed with skill and enthusiasm and were greatly appreciated by a large audience. The band is part of Kirklees Music Centre and meets on Saturday mornings. On Sunday morning the Rev Phillip Reynolds from Skelmanthorpe led and celebrated a service of Holy Communion. Kate Tordoff and Michael Lee read the Bible; Kate led prayers and Malcolm Jessop played the organ. In his sermon based on Luke 9 verses 28-36 Reverend Reynolds highlighted Jesus’ ministry to all people during his life; after his death, resurrection and ascension Jesus is still available to all people. Refreshments were served.

KIRKBURTON

Mrs Theresa Quarmby welcomed the congregation to a special family service of Church4All at Kirkburton All Hallows Parish Church last Sunday. It was led by the Rev Graham Whitcroft who, on St Valentine’s Day, took for his theme Love. Reader, Mrs Janet Roberts led the prayers of Intercessions and Mrs Sue Whitcroft gave the reading. “that you love one another, from the Gospel according to St John. Mr Whitcroft was assisted in his informal sermon by five young people and other members of the congregation. Mrs Janet Jessop and Mrs Gwen Lodge performed the duties of sidesmen and took up the collection. After the service the worshippers enjoyed refreshments served by Mrs Joanne Smith and Mrs Jean Sutcliffe. In the evening, curate, the Rev Robert Chambers, led a service of evensong and took for his theme, The Transfiguration of Jesus. Mrs Shirley Lingwood gave a reading from the Book of Exodus and Mr Chambers read from Corinthians and the Gospel according to St Luke. Mrs Doreen Barraclough was organist for the day.

Members of the Burton Friendship Club met for their weekly meeting at The Hub on Tuesday when Mrs Jean Sutcliffe talked about former Huddersfield District Chronicle correspondent, Miss Eljina Haigh, and her remarkable collection of scrapbooks. These cover the period from the 1920s until around the time of her death aged 82 in 1987. Members enjoyed browsing through the books which were put on display. The raffle was won by Mrs Mary Slack and tea was served by Mesdames Calvert, Ramsay and Ellis.

LEPTON

Lepton Townswomen’s Guild held their monthly meeting in the Methodist Church when speaker Mr B Mettrick gave a most interesting talk on State Health, with advice for the elderly. Mrs Jenny Boothroyd proposed the vote of thanks and the raffle winner was Mrs V Hartley.

SHELLEY

Shelley Over 60s Club held their meeting at the Village Hall last Thursday. The bingo line was won by Madge Shaw and the full house went to Edith Brookes. The whist high of 93 went to Joan Horne and the low of 64 to Walter Astin from eight tables. Birthday greetings were given to Keith Field, Hilda Holmes, Edith Brookes and Barry Jessop. The club welcomed new members Alice Bryden and Joan Taylor. Raffle prizes were won by Jenny Rose, David Matthews, Lilian Armitage and Dora Mettrick.

SKELMANTHORPE

John Orton gave the sermon at Wesleyan Reform Church. His Bible reading was taken from Psalms. Mr Orton also played the piano.

On Sunday February 7, Deacon Jane Paine conducted the service at Skelmanthorpe Methodist Church. The theme of the service was about God’s awesome power and a sense of wonder. Jane invited the congregation to join her in an action story based on Luke Chapter 5 (1-11) which is based on the ‘calling of the first disciples’. The congregation enjoyed taking part in the actions of the story and also the song Our God is a Great Big God. The Organist was Mrs Christine Senior.

Last Sunday the Rev David Priestnall conducted the service of all age worship at Skelmanthorpe Methodist Church. The theme of the service was the St Valentine’s Day Industry’ and the sort of things available to purchase for Valentine’s Day – Chocolates, Valentine’s Day activities on the internet. He focussed on the fact that everything was heart-shaped but that the love of God was cross-shaped, pointing out that Valentine’s Day is just temporary, over in a few days, but that God’s love lasts forever. During the service the baptism of Joshua Russell Gardner, who is the son of Eve Quirk and Adrian Gardner, took place. It was also the Gift Giving for the Sunday School when the children were presented with gift cards for their attendance and achievements.This was a belated event which should have taken place in January, but was cancelled because of the snow. The hymns for the service were chosen by the parents of the baby and the children were invited to play percussion instruments during the songs. The organist was Mrs Christine Senior. Coffee was served by Martyn and Eunice Radley.

Faryl Smith is guest soloist at next month’s Grand Concert in Huddersfield Town Hall featuring Skelmanthorpe Band. Tickets for the concert, on Saturday March 27 (start 7.15pm) are now on sale at Kirklees Box Offices priced £10 to £18. To book seats telephone 01484-223200 or 01924-324501 or go online at www.kirklees.gov.uk/townhalls