BROCKHOLES

Brockholes Women's Institute met on Thursday March 11 in the Methodist Church parlour. President Zita Crossley welcomed speaker Mike Disley, a sculptor and teacher, who is based at Shepley. Mike gave a slide show of his work and talked about how he qualified as a stone mason and progressed to creating the sort of sculpture he enjoys. His sculptures are sited in public areas of towns and cities all over the British Isles. One, called Hiking With The Cheshire Cat is sited in Macclesfield, Cheshire, to celebrate Lewis Carroll – who was born in Cheshire – and also the number of hikers who visit the area. Another set of Sea Shell Benches are sited on the seafront at Hartlepool, and one of Mike’s latest sculptures is the Tree Memorial for the fire victims in Birkby, Huddersfield. Elizabeth Mosley thanked the speaker and the competition for a pebble was won by Barbara Jemmison.

The Mothering Sunday service at the Methodist Church was led by Mrs Barbara Rochester. The fourth symbol was laid on the cross. Lessons were read by Mr Paul Grant and the organist was Mr Noel Clark. Flowers were distributed to worshippers at the close of the service.

Parish communion for Mothering Sunday at St George's Church was celebrated by the Rev David Barnes. Helen Dickinson read the lesson and the server was Roger Kenworthy. Verena Wood played the organ. Daffodils donated by Judi Gibbons were handed out to the women and children. Following the service, the baptism of Tilly Crowther was conducted by the vicar.

Young people of the AD Group met to make cards for Mother's Day as well as paper sculpture gifts. The leaders were Sue Clay and Kate Drake, who also led the children in prayer and singing.

HEPWORTH

Children played a major part at the Mothering Sunday Service in Hepworth Church, which was jointly conducted by the Rev Keith Griffin and the Rev Val Clarke. They acted out the reading from Jane Selkirk, made illustrations to give to their mums and then handed out flowers to all the women in the congregation. Prayers were led by Louise Vigor and the guest organist was Lizzie Hayward. Coffee was served afterwards by Stella and Richard Southam.

HOLMBRIDGE

Members of the Women's Institute were given a talk by Adam Goodyear on the history of stained glass and the St David's Church Millennium Window.

Members of the Camera Club held an outdoor meeting in Holmfirth to look at night-time photography.

Midweek communion at St David's Church was led by the Rev Geoff Bamford. Ian Gold read the lesson. In the week, there were meetings of Hilary's Keep Fit Class, the Monkey Business group and the Green Lunch and Over 60s Club. The Lent course was conducted by the Rev Geoff Bamford and Friday evening prayers were led by Carolyn Burley.

Parish Eucharist for Mothering Sunday at St David's Church was celebrated by the Rev Geoff Bamford. Thelma Nelson read the lesson and Carolyn Burley led intercessions. The chalice was administered by Ian Macdonald. Kathryn Kingdom and Becky Burdon led the crèche and junior church. The organist was Jean Chadwick. At the close of the service, daffodils were presented to members of the congregation.

HOLMFIRTH

Mothering Sunday worship at Holmfirth Methodist Church was all-age communion, led by the Rev Charlotte Lorimer. A Bible reading was given by Betty Donnell and Bob Cran dressed the cross with the purple robe and the crown of thorns, symbolising the humiliation of Jesus by the Roman authorities. The theme of the service reflected on sadness and joy and lost and found. The teaching was based on the parable of the Prodigal Son. The sadness of the father when his son left was countered by his joy on his son’s return. The story was read by Kim Brook and the children’s teaching was by Bob Rudd. After the celebration of Holy Communion, Mothering Sunday flowers were distributed to mothers present by their children. The choir led singing, accompanied by children playing their musical instruments.

Mothering Sunday was celebrated at Holy Trinity Church. At the 8am service David Billington was the reader and at the 10.30 service Chris Headly was the reader. The Rev Keith Griffin was the celebrant and he was assisted by Val Clarke who administered the chalice. Keith and Barbara Jones served coffee after the service.

HONLEY

Dean Henry Stapleton led parish Eucharist for Mothering Sunday at St Mary's Church. The Rev David Barnes gave the address and Clive Green read the lesson. Intercessions were led by Pauline Ellis and Bob Etherington. The organist was Jean Cheeseman. Children distributed flowers to all the women present and simnel cake was served with coffee afterwards. The Rev David Barnes led a meeting of the Lent study group in the parish room.

UPPERTHONG

Meetings of the Lent groups were held on Monday and Wednesday at the homes of the Rev Di Ellerton and Sue and Graham Dawson. Sue and Graham also hosted the weekly prayer breakfast on Tuesday morning.

The Rev Val Clarke was celebrant at midweek communion on Thursday. A Lent lunch followed in the meeting room.

Family Eucharist for Mothering Sunday at St John's Church was conducted by the Rev Di Ellerton, who was also the celebrant. Hilary Broadbent read the lesson and Bill Brown assisted with the chalice. Ian Greenhalgh was the organist. During the service, children presented daffodils to members of the congregation. Refreshments were served afterwards.

WILSHAW

The March meeting of Wilshaw Village Institute was held in the village hall with president Margaret Faulds in the chair. Arrangement for the May Spring Lunch were discussed and everyone was pleased that Colin and Anne Spence would be joining in. Mrs Faulds then welcomed Mrs Dorothy Foster who read Anecdotes in Verse. Her humorous reminiscences raised many smiles. Mrs J Shaw thanked her for a happy and cheerful hour. Tea and biscuits were served before the close.

WOOLDALE

The service on Sunday for Mother's Day at Wooldale Methodist Free Church was led by Janet Blackshaw, Margaret Tinker and Wendy Bower. Margaret opened the service with a prayer and reading and led the prayers of intercession. Wendy chatted about Mother's Day cards of the past and Janet talked of the difficulties that young mums have today . All the women received a bunch of daffodils from Shauna and Erica. Coffee and cakes followed the service. Organist was Colin Hudson.

Sandra Spivey, of the Salvation Army, led the Mothering Sunday service at Wooldale Methodist Church. Posies of daffodils were presented to the women. The organist was Nigel Morris. Coffee and biscuits were served afterwards.