CLAYTON WEST

The morning service at the Methodist Church was led by Rosemary Hall , who also sang a solo and accompanied herself on the guitar. Judith Howell, who is training to be a local preacher, gave the sermon about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Lucie Froggatt read from Thessalonians, and Les Barber read the story about Lazarus from John's gospel. Stewards were Betty Booth and Joan Bond. Linda Flack gave a gift of flowers for the communion table. After the service coffee and biscuits were served by Rosalyn Beevers.

Last Saturday the monthly coffee morning took place in the schoolroom. The Traidcraft stall, supporting fair trade financially was popular, as was the home-made cake stall. Bacon sandwiches were enjoyed, prepared by Maxine Lodge. All other profit was for church funds.

Parish Eucharist for the second Sunday of the Easter period at All Saints’ Church was held at 9.15am on Sunday. Readings were prepared by Kath McDaid and Gillian Hamer from Acts 9 and the Gospel of John 21 respectively. The theme of Rev Joy’s talk was of the character of Peter: what type of a man was he? She asked was he the man who knew most about the character of Jesus? He seemed to be the opportunist and was always the proactive disciple. Peter was not without his faults, yet he always realised that Jesus was his role model. Prayers for the wider world were written and delivered by Jonathan Newcombe and the cantor was Jaime Alderson. During communion the choir sang a short anthem – Lead me Lord by S Wesley. Refreshments were prepared and served by Kath McDaid and Marianne Taylor.

EMLEY

The funeral of Edna Scarth, a long standing member of St Michael’s family, was taken by Rev John Marsh, assisted by Shelley Wild on Friday morning.

On Saturday the Yorkshire Association of Change Bell Ringers Central Branch held a competition in Emley. The Emley team were awarded first prize in the Fun Band class with Wakefield Cathedral second. On Sunday morning the congregation admired the shield the team won.

Worship for All on Sunday morning was led by Mavis Jessop and the Rev Christine Bullimore celebrated Communion. Rebecca Tullet read the Bible based on Worship; it was acted out by Freddie Smith and Luke Tullet using mime. The other children showed their illustrations explained by the Rev Chris. Gill Marsh led prayers and Malcolm Jessop played the organ. Refreshments were served A baptism service followed for Joshua Thomas Smith, son of Jonathon and Joanne. Evening Worship was held at 6pm.

KIRKBURTON

Kirkburton All Hallows’ Parochial Church annual meeting was held after the service on the second Sunday after Easter. Mr Mike Steele was chairman. Thanks were expressed to the officers of the church, members of the parochial church council, friends and members of the congregation for their support and work over the past year during the interregnum. He said that the church members looked forward to working with the new priest-in-charge, the Rev Geoff Clay. Special appreciation was expressed to retiring members of the PCC and a welcome was extended to new members. Reports from the officers and the various church groups, as well as copies of the financial statements, were made available and deposited in the church where they can be read by anyone interested. Churchwardens Mr Glyn Phillips and Mr John Keighley were re-elected and deputies, Mr Mike Steele and Mrs Janet Jessop, appointed. Mr John Marshall and pastoral minister Mrs Betty Cross remain as representatives on the Deanery Synod with curate, the Rev Robert Chambers. The members of the parochial church council are: Betty Cross, Janet Jessop, Mike Steele, Doreen Barraclough, Robert Chambers, Janet Roberts, Glyn Phillips, Susan McPherson, Karen McCann, Malcolm Tibbott, Michael Schindler, Katie Waterman, Lorraine Lockwood and the Rev Geoff Clay.

Mr David Utasi welcomed the worshippers when they arrived for a service of Sung Eucharist in All Hallows Parish Church last Sunday. The leader and preacher was the new priest-in-charge, the Rev Geoff Clay. He took for his theme: What would our immortality be like. The prayers of intercession were led by Mrs Hazel Ramsay. Mrs Joanne Smith gave the reading for the day from the Acts of the Apostles and Mr Clay read from the Gospel According to St John. The Rev Graham Whitcroft and Mrs Whitcroft took up the chalice and paten and, at the distribution, Mr Clay was assisted by pastoral minister Mrs Betty Cross and Mrs Hillary Berry. Mrs Jean Sutcliffe and Mrs Joanne Smith were sidesmen and took the collection. Mrs Doreen Barraclough was the organist. After the service members of the congregation were invited to stay and enjoy refreshments served by Mrs Christine Rangeley and Mrs Pauline Pinder.

On Sunday evening the Youth Group organised a meeting of their monthly service of cafe church, Synaxis, at the Hub. It was led by Miss Grace Daniels and refreshments were provided by Mrs Vicky Daniels and Mrs Karen McCann.

Members of the Burton Friendship Group enjoyed a Beetle Drive when they held their weekly meeting at The Hub. There were small chocolate bars as prizes and the afternoon raffle was won by Mr Gerald Hibbertson. Tea was served by Mesdames Heeley, Ramsay and Slack.

LEPTON

Lepton Townswomen’s Guild held their monthly meeting in the Methodist Church, Glenys Watson presiding. Speaker Mr D Morris gave a fascinating talk on the history of Birdsedge School, dating back to the 1700s. Peggy Selway proposed the vote of thanks and Jenny Boothroyd won the raffle.

SHELLEY

With the village hall unavailable and the Methodist hall out of commission, Shelley Over 60s held their weekly meeting at The Hub, Kirkburton last Thursday. The bingo line was won by Gordon Burgin and the full house by Ruth Sheffield and Olwyn Berry. No-one won the first three numbers on one card so the prize was carried forward to our next meeting. The whist high of 96 was won by Elaine Shaw and the low of 66 went to Margaret Laycock from eight tables. Members celebrated the birthdays of Joyce Taylor, Madge Shaw, Vera Wilkinson, Lorraine Radley, Denise Edinburgh, and especially Arthur Pollard and Rene Hewitt, both of whom have reached 90. Raffle prizes were won by Kathleen Proctor, Anne Matthews, Eunice Ramsden, Margaret Schofield and Margaret Lee.

SKELMANTHORPE

The preacher for Sunday morning service at the Wesleyan Reform Chapel was Miss Sandra Spivey from the Salvation Army. Her friend read the Bible and Sandra and her sister sang a duet. The organist was John Orton.

On Monday at the Methodist Church, Pilling Lane, the Skelmanthorpe Wives’ Group held their first meeting. The speaker was Margaret Gregory who talked about her hobby of attending antique fairs, auctions, markets and car boot sales. She brought along a few items dating as far back as the war years through to the 1960s and demonstrated what could be collectable. Although Margaret is retired she said she had been attending fairs since 1989 and had travelled as far afield as Edinburgh, Bournemouth, Newark and Nottingham Showground, Harrogate, Howarth and Bolton, just to mention a few. One of her favourite auction rooms was Tenants’ Auction Rooms of Leyburn, North Yorkshire, which has a lovely Victorian Tea Room. She has met lots of people who attend the fairs time after time and there is a community spirit which is very enjoyable. On the down side, she mentioned that there are drawbacks, as it is not all easy going, it is hard work and you can lose out too. Nevertheless, she does enjoy her hobby. A vote of thanks was proposed by the hosts for the evening Christine Senior, Carol Charlesworth and Margaret Gregory, who all provided a lovely supper afterwards. Carol read a prayer; Margaret chose the hymn The Old Rugged Cross’ and Christine played the piano.

STOCKSMOOR

Stocksmoor Bridge Club results from Thursday April 1: North/South: 1 M Sandell and S Hancock, 2 P Pogson and A Stephens, 3 J Morris and W Sharman; east/west:1 M Dey and R Makings, 2 T and M Hirst, 3 G Wimpenny and E Covell.

Thursday April 8: North/South:1 M Sandell and S Hancock, 2 J and M McGee, 3 P Pogson and A Stephens; east/West: 1 P Turner and M Kenworthy, 2 M Russell and E Covell, 3 C Kaye and L Tempest.