BIRDSEDGE
Malcolm Jacob took the Harvest service at Birdsedge Church. He spoke about sowing the seed using times he’d enjoyed with his grandmother when looking at small scrolls of texts she saved. One in particular was James 1 v 17: ‘Every good and perfect gift is from above’. We need to sow the seed of Christianity in people we know so that it can grow into something good, he said. Lesley Sullivan spoke to the children about the true story of Mary Jones in 1794. Her family was very poor with no books, she really wanted a bible which she had to read at a neighbours. The book would cost the equivalent of 18p. She did lots of odd jobs but it still took six years to save the money and then had to walk 25 miles to buy the bible. This caused the setting up of the Bible Society. A memorial to Mary Jones can still be seen in Wales. Lesley read Genesis 8 v 22: ‘As long as the earth endures seedtime and harvest....will never cease’; also Psalm 119 v 11: ‘I have hidden your word in my heart....’ Tom Wood will take next week’s service. The church improvements are coming along and did not deter the congregation.
The Hospice lunches and refreshments on Saturday October 23 from 11 am, will be served in the Village Hall as the church will not be useable.
The film Mama Mia will be shown in the village hall today, Saturday at 7.30 pm and not 6.30pm as stated last week.
CLAYTON WEST
On Wednesday October 6 Clayton West WI held their monthly meeting. Member Anne demonstrated to the group how to make a kimono card. Each member then had the opportunity to make a card – and all were successful. This activity was followed by refreshments, a raffle and there was also a sales table. The next meeting will be on Wednesday November 3 when there will be a demonstration of doughcraft. Visitors are welcome to meetings, which are held at the United Reformed Church at Clayton West.
The Methodist Church celebrated the Harvest Thanksgiving last Sunday, when the service was led by Rosemary Hall, assisted by Judith Howell, a local preacher in training. Everyone brought gifts of tins, cereals, and various produce which would be taken to Huddersfield Mission to help the needy. Rosemary spoke of the vine and its branches and how a broken branch will die, as our faith will if we lose touch with God in our lives. The congregation also thought of the work of the Methodist Relief Fund and its work with those in need. Wendy Barber offered prayer for the fund and Judith offered prayers for the whole church and places hit by disaster. Les Barber read the story of the sower and the seed, Rosemary sang a solo and accompanied herself on the guitar. The organist was Jane Hobson and stewards were Betty Booth and Joan Bond. Flowers for the communion table were a gift from Ida Brooke. After the service members and friends enjoyed a lovely Sunday lunch.
Last Tuesday the afternoon fellowship had their Harvest Meeting and brought gifts of fruit, and contributed various readings. The meeting was led by Beryl Holt.
A celebration of Parish Communion was held at All Saints Church on Sunday. The service was led by Rev Laurie Brooks, who based his talk on the Gospel reading ‘Faith in today’s world’. The readings were prepared by Edward Toulson and Kathryn Hullah from Jeremiah (29 vv1,4 –7) and the Gospel of Luke (17 vv11 – 19), respectively. Prayers for the wider world were written and delivered by George Lane and Olivia England. The organist was Jonathan Newcombe who accompanied the choir as its members sang Malcolm Archer’s composition We Cannot Measure. Refreshments for all, after the service, were served by Stephanie Spence and Marjorie Brown.
EMLEY
A Harvest Celebration was held in church on Wednesday afternoon by the children from Emley First School.
On Sunday morning the Rev Christine Bullimore led a service of Holy Communion. Sallie Dickins and Graham Russell read the bible, Gill Marsh led prayers and Malcolm Jessop played the organ. In his sermon based on the gospel reading from Luke 17 – about Jesus healing the ten Lepers and only one returning to thank him– John Bullimore drew attention to what each generation does in their lives and how future generations benefit or not. Sam Barrow, with the help of leaders, had made a puppet theatre and re-enacted the bible story to the delight of the congregation. Refreshments were served.
KIRKBURTON
There were two services in All Hallows Parish Church on the nineteenth Sunday after Trinity. Mrs Susan McPherson and her grandchildren gave a warm welcome to the congregation when they attended the annual Church 4 All family service and celebration of the Harvest Festival. The church was decorated for the occasion with foliage and displays of garden produce together with the traditional harvest loaf. The service was led by the Rev Geoff Clay and the harvest gifts of dried and tinned foodstuffs, later donated to the Welcome Centre in Huddersfield, were taken-up during the opening hymn. Churchwarden Mr Glyn Phillips read the prayers of Intercession and Mrs Joanne Smith read about the corporal works of mercy from the twenty fifth chapter of the Gospel according to St Mark. Mr Clay gave the talk and took for his theme, Water Aid. Mrs Wendy Crookes and Mrs Pat Ellis were the sidesmen and took up the collection which was donated to Water Aid. During the service a cheque for £500 was presented towards the heating fund on behalf of the Village Scouts and uniformed groups. The music for the service, with a mixture of traditional harvest hymns and new songs, was provided by Mrs Doreen Barraclough. The congregation enjoyed refreshments after the service served by Mrs Dot Ward, Mrs McPherson and Mrs Joy Elson.
In the evening Mr Clay led a service of Holy Communion and took for his theme How God Loves an Outsider. He read about the grateful Samaritan from the seventeenth chapter of Luke and there was a reading from Psalm 111. Curate, the Rev Robert Chambers administered the Communion.
Members of the Burton Friendship Club spent an enjoyable afternoon playing Bingo when they met at the Hub on Tuesday. The winners were Mrs Joyce Kaye, Mrs Mary Slack, Mrs Betty Wragg, Mrs Margaret Metcalfe, Mr Gerald Ibberson and Mrs Freda Crabb. The raffle was won by Mrs Pauline Pinder and tea was served by Mrs Hazel Ramsay and Mrs Jean Sutcliffe.
MOLDGREEN
Tolson Museum is using its glittering past to encourage visitors to help shape its bright future. Geology-themed activities during half term will feature rocks and stones from the museum’s collections and families will be able to take part in sand pit archaeology and fossil activities and make sun-catcher diamonds.As part of the activities on Thursday, October 28, 11am-1pm and 2pm-4pm, visitors will be asked to consider the different layers of history available to them at the museum on Wakefield Road – from its natural history and local history displays to the famous and not so famous historical figures of Huddersfield and the quirky objects, such as the half animals , that fascinate visitors. Families will have the opportunity to show staff the layers of history they would like to discover and uncover in the museum’s new Community Heritage Gallery, due to open next year, by making colourful displays in miniature to add to a model of the room. The gallery is being created thanks to a Fund Your Heritage grant of £50,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund. It will be Tolson’s first new gallery for 17 years. There is a charge of 50p per child (5-16 years) for the activity sessions; Kirklees Passport holders go free. For further information contact Tolson Museum, tel: 01484 223830.
SHELLEY
Shelley Over 60s members held their weekly meeting in the Village Hall last Thursday. The bingo line was won by Sylvia Stevenson and the full house by Madge Shaw. The first three numbers on one card was not claimed and the prize was carried over until the next meeting. The whist high of 100 was won by Dora Sanders and the low of 67 went to Joan Horne and Joan Cope from six tables. There was just one birthday to celebrate – that of Connie Roberts. Raffle prizes were won by Dorothy Jessop, Fred Huddle, Sylvia Stevenson, Joyce Booth and Linda Brauner.
SKELMANTHORPE
The preacher for morning service at the Wesleyan Reform Church was John Orton of Dalton. His bible reading was from Psalms. John also played the piano.
On Monday October 4 the Skelmanthorpe Wives Group enjoyed a talk given by Diane Hughes of Emley, who spoke about her voluntary work as a Street Angel. The Street Angels are a group of Christian volunteers who patrol the streets around the town centre of Huddersfield on Saturday nights, making sure people are safe and offering help to anyone who needs it. They do not do the job of the police but just keep a watchful eye providing a reassuring presence, chatting to people and calling for the police or paramedic back-up if needed. Diane brought a sense of humour to the talk and gave some funny anecdotes of things which happened en route around the town. A vote of thanks was proposed by Pat Hirst who, along with Margaret Firth, were hosts for the evening and who also provided a lovely supper afterwards. Margaret played the piano for the hymn.
On Sunday last the Harvest Festival was celebrated at Skelmanthorpe Methodist Church. The service was led by Deacon Jane Paine whose theme was of God’s Bounty. This was in some measure illustrated by Jane putting as many balloons as possible into Callum Wadsworth’s arms, until he could not hold any more – so it was suggested that the balloons be shared out as God shared out his bounty. Bible lessons were read by Annie and John Senior. Gifts of tins and packets were received, which would be taken to Huddersfield Mission for the Welcome Centre. The music group accompanied two songs and the organist was Christine Senior. Coffee was served afterwards by Rose and Stuart Merry.
On Sunday evening the united village Harvest praise was held at the Methodist Church and was led by Rev David Priestnall. The congregation shared in Harvest hymns and the united choir sang two anthems by John Rutter. The Rev Philip Reynolds gave a talk on the theme of Harvest. Bible lessons were read by Eve Pocock, Callum Wadsworth, Susan McDonagh and Ailsa Horton. The conductor of the choir was Chris Ward and the organist was Jonathan Woodcock. Refreshments were served after the service.
On Monday evening the Church Council held its Bi-Annual business meeting, which was chaired by Rev David Priestnall at the Methodist Church. One of the items discussed on the agenda was the Christmas Tree Festival which is to take place on December 10, 11 and 12. More information about this will be given later.
STOCKSMOOR
Stocksmoor Bridge Club results from Thursday September 30 are: North/South: 1 M Sandell and A Walters, 2 M Bailey and J Daniel, 3 P Pogson and A Stephens; East/West: 1 D Swaine and P Wright, 2 M Cooper and C Kaye, 3 J Shaw and E Tullie.
Thursday October 7: North/South:1 M Sandell and A Thomas, 2 P Pogson and A Stephens, 3 M Hicks and J Pearson; East/West: 1 J Shae and E Tullie, 2 C Pilling and S Clegg, 3 E Covell and M Russell.
UPPER DENBY
There will be a Harvest Festival Auction at the George public house today starting at 8pm. Proceeds will go to the local elderly for a Christmas present, a trip in the summer months, coffee mornings and lunches. The auction is run by the Denby Ladies (Senior Citizens) Committee, a charitable organisation which has been in existence since the 196's serving the needs of the elderly in High Flatts, Upper and Lower Denby. Come and have fun and support this worthwhile cause.
