BIRDSEDGE
The Village Hall Luncheon Club went well. On December 15 – the last before Christmas – Christmas lunch will be served. It will be a full Christmas meal with extras. Booking is essential with at least four days’ notice for anyone wishing to partake.
Cumberworth under 8s’ game was postponed, so players took the opportunity to get some extra practice in, although the weather was fairly terrible.
The Christmas Quiz will be on Friday November 16 at 8pm.
A raffle is being organised by the committee to help pay for the much-appreciated Christmas tree on the Coronation Gardens.Carols will be sung round the tree on Christmas Eve at 6.30pm and the hall will be open from 5pm, before and after the singing, for bar and refreshments.
Malcolm Jacob took the Communion service for the second Sunday in Advent. He described Advent as a time of waiting and he asked how many children are managing to wait and only open their calendars on the correct date? Malcolm read Isaiah 7 verses1-17 and this expanded on the traditional Christmas reading at verse 14: ‘Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel.’ He talked about the ‘presence of God in our lives’. How often do we recognise God in our lives? Are we too busy to know that God is always with us? The third Sunday in Advent service will be taken by Junior Church. The church was full for the Christingle evening service and Hade Edge Academy Youth Band provided the music.
CLAYTON WEST
Morning worship at the Methodist Church was led by Peter Holt, a local preacher and a member of the church. The lighting of the second Advent candle and prayers for the theme of Peace were performed by Betty Booth. Thoughts were led in the service on being prepared for the coming of Jesus, and the challenge and hope that this would bring. John the Baptist brought this message and baptised those who believed. The PowerPoint presentation gave an added benefit to the service for the congregation. The Old Testament reading from Isaiah about hope was read by Wendy Barber, and the New Testament readings, from Mark and Peter’s second letter on the theme for the day, were read by the preacher. Stewards were Betty Booth and Joan Bond, and the organist was Jane Hobson. This was also the annual Toy Service, when members brought gifts of toys and presents to be taken to the Blenheim Project in Bradford, which supports through care and shelter mothers and children in need. After the service Wendy Barber served coffee and biscuits.
DENBY DALE
The Sunday school at Zion Wesleyan Reform Chapel met on Sunday morning and held a dress rehearsal for the Nativity Play followed by word searches and other activities. Robert Nuttall led a service of Carol Praise accompanied by the Skelmanthorpe B Band. Bible readings were given by Margaret Cocking, Mike Hopcroft and Cynthia Nuttall. Ruth Booth read a poem and the band gave a short concert after the service. On Sunday morning there will be a Family Service at 10.30am when the Sunday School will present a Nativity Play and the annual prizegiving will be held. The evening service at 6pm will be a members service.
KIRKBURTON
There were two services in All Hallows Parish Church on the second Sunday of Advent. In the morning Mr David Utasi gave a warm welcome to the congregation when they attended a family service of Church 4 All. The worship was led by reader Mrs Janet Roberts and Mrs Lorraine Lockwood and they took for their theme, Angels. Miss Lucy Metcalf and Mrs Hazel Ramsay led the prayers and the two readings from the first chapter of the Gospel according to St Luke were performed as dramas. Verses 5-22 by Rachel Atkinson, Annie Donaldson and Norman Berry; and verses 26-38 by David and Louanne Roberts and Phillip Delamere. During the service the Rev Geoff Clay baptised William Priest and welcomed him into the fellowship of the Church. Mrs Pauline Pinder and Mrs Joy Elson with help from children in the congregation performed the duties of sidesmen and took up a collection. The music for the service was provided by the Church Music Group. The congregation enjoyed refreshments served by Mrs Theresa Quarmby and Mrs Susan McPherson. In the evening there was a celebration of Holy Communion. The leader and preacher was the Rev Robert Chambers who took for his theme Preparation. Pastoral minister, Mrs Mary Chambers led the prayers. Mrs Dorothy Greenwood gave readings from the books of Isaiah and Peter and Mrs Shirley Lingwood from the Gospel according to St Mark. Mrs Joy Elson lit the second Advent candle and Pastoral minister, Mrs Betty Cross assisted Mr Chambers at the distribution of the sacrament. Mrs Doreen Barraclough was the organist.
SHELLEY
Shelley Over 60s held their meeting in the Village Hall last Thursday. Molly James and Sheila Taylor shared the prize for the bingo line, and Margaret Laycock won the full house. There was no winner for the first three numbers on one card so the prize carried forward to the next meeting. The whist high of 90 was won by Marion Kelly and the low of 66 went to Harry Rose from nine tables. The following members celebrate birthdays this week – Geoff Hirst, Linda Brauner, William Taylor (80), Roy Cull, David Whitley, Sylvia Stevenson and Nicky Shorey. Members wish them all a happy birthday. Raffle prizes were won by Wendy Kettlewell, Bessie Usher, Sheila Morris, Margaret Schofield, Robin Small and Marjorie Johnstone. On Friday December 2. a party of members visited the Christmas Market at Lincoln – all had an enjoyable time.
SKELMANTHORPE
A band concert was held at the Wesleyan Reform Church Sunday School. The concert was kicked off by Skelmanthorpe’s learner band and then the B Band was introduced by conductor Phillip Garlick. Refreshments were served at the interval. Carole Senior thanked the bands for a lovely concert.
On Sunday morning the preacher was Terry Frost of Shepley. John Orton was the organist.
During the past year, there have been various speakers at meetings of the Skelmanthorpe Historical Society. Organisations in the village, including Skelmanthorpe Male Voice Choir, the cricket club and Skelmanthorpe Bowling Club have provided topics for the talks. These organisations have all had special anniversaries this year. The last meeting of the year will be a members' evening, when people are asked to bring an interesting artefact. The meeting on Wednesday, December 14, at the Darby and Joan Club, will close with a faith supper.
A Christmas Tree Festival is being held at Skelmanthorpe Methodist Church today and tomorrow. Opening times: today 10am - 5pm, tomorrow 10am -12.30pm and 2 - 4pm. Admission adults £1 (includes refreshments and a programme), children free. Santa will be there all day Saturday. Lunches are served Saturday only from 11.30am – 1.30pm. On Sunday a Festival Carol Service will be held at 10.30am.There will be live music throughout the whole weekend. Access through the Pilling Lane entrance.
On Sunday last at Skelmanthorpe Methodist Church, Mr Tom Richardson of Denby Dale led the worship. The second Sunday in Advent is when John the Baptist is remembered. Daisy Brooks-Taylor performed the ceremony of lighting two candles in the Advent Ring. The theme was continued in Mr Richardson’s sermon which explored the life and ministry of the saint. Relevant bible lessons were read by John Senior, Rose Merry and Clare Dodsley – who was also the steward for the service. The music group accompanied the Advent song. Christine Senior was the organist.
On Monday last, Skelmanthorpe Methodist Church Wives Group and invited guests enjoyed a Christmas carol service and faith supper. The president of the group, Mrs Frances Priestnall, ably led the carols, prayers, a quiz and games. Thanks to everyone who brought food for the buffet supper which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
STOCKSMOOR
Stocksmoor Bridge Club results from Thursday November 24: North/South – 1 T and M Hirst, 2 D Cliff and C Bolland, 3 M Sandell and K Morley; East/West – 1 J and M McGee, 2 E Covell and M Russell, 3 D Swaine and M Partridge.
Thursday December 1: North/South – 1 D Cliff and C Bolland, 2 P Pogson and A Stephens, 3 M Sandell and S Hancock; East/West: 1 J Shaw and E Tullie, 2 A Barnett and A Dowlen, 3 E Covell and M Russell.
