BIRDSEDGE
Cumberworth versus Linthwaite under sevens’ games saw some very good football with a very supportive audience.
The Santa visit followed on from the football when 60 children attended and many children and parents enjoyed their lunch.
‘The Girls’ won the village hall quiz for the first time.The open monthly management meeting will be held in the bar at 8pm on Tuesday December 6. 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 and after the singing for bar and refreshments.The Children’s Christmas party on Saturday December 10 has been cancelled.
Tom Wood took the first service in Advent focussing on Isaiah 42 verse 16 – ‘I will turn the darkness into light’. He told the children about a young boy whose father threw him out of the house when he became a Christian. The boy had a terrible time living in outhouses until someone from a church he spoke at gave him a home. The boy went on to become a missionary. Later he talked about how many times ‘light’ cropped up in the bible regarding Jesus - ‘I am the light of the world’ etc. Wealth is not necessary for fulfilment - 1 Timothy 6 v 17 ‘Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hopes in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.’ The Christingle service will be held on December 4 at 6.30pm with tea from 5pm.
CLAYTON WEST
Advent Sunday at Clayton West, All Saints’ was marked with two services. The first was parish communion at 9.15am. Readings were delivered by Mavis Brook and Edward Toulson from Isaiah 64 (verses 1-9) and Mark 13 (verses 24-end) respectively. Kath McDaid delivered the talk and the Rev Joy Cousans presided over the Eucharist. Prayers for the wider world were written by David Cousans and Carol Vidal served up refreshments at the end of the service.Music and readings for Advent were shared by a large congregation, filling the church for a service at 5pm. This service was a ‘churches together’ service with representatives and friends from nearby churches and parishes, delivering both readings and the music. Jonathan Newcombe conducted the choir and the organist for the evening was Owen Ryder. Mince pies and mulled wine were available to all after the service.
There is a ‘Christmas’ coffee morning at All Saints’ today from 10.30-noon. Small gifts and goodies will be available for purchase. Tomorrow, there is a ‘Toy service’ to support the Blenheim House project in Bradford. For events in the week beginning December 18, check the website www.allsaints-claytonwest.org.uk
DENBY DALE
On Thursday October 24 Denby Dale Pie Hall rocked with fabulous music and bling when Denby Dale Ladies’ Choir were guests at a free concert organised by the Denby Dale Lions. A packed audience enjoyed a varied programme by the choir, who were recent winners at the Holmfirth Musical Festival. The choir’s conductor and musical director, Sarah Ogden, engaged the audience with her lively personality. The programme commenced with Chattanooga-choo-choo and then some fun with Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend’ which was emphasised by the bling on the hands of the ladies. Among many other items the choir sang You Raise Me Up a song by the group Westlife. The second half included some Christmas songs like Santa Claus is Coming to Town and Silent Night which was beautifully sung in both German and English with some accompaniment from Alison Jones on the flute. The choir also had some fun with two items from the film and stage production of Sister Act including My Guyand Hail Holy Queen when the ladies donned their habits to the delight of the audience. The evening ended with an encore All that Jazz. The soloists were Catherine Winter who gave a beautiful rendition of Panis Angelicus and Pam Waring who confidently sang Haydn Wood’s classic song Roses of Picardy. The choir and soloists were ably accompanied by Michael Mills on the piano. The Denby Dale Lions, provided refreshments and a raffle during the interval. At the end of the concert a vote of thanks was proposed to the choir, their conductor and pianist for a very entertaining evening.
Zion Wesleyan Reform Chapel’s Christmas fair held on Saturday raised £480 for chapel funds.
The Sunday school met on Sunday morning and continued preparations for the Nativity play and made Christmas cards. Robert Nuttall was the speaker at the evening service when he spoke about why Jesus came to earth. Cynthia Nuttall, Margaret Cocking and Ruth Booth read the Bible readings. Mike Hopcroft led the prayers. The service included The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. Carol Mosley was the steward and Ian Mosley was the reception steward. A Carol Praise service will be held tomorrow evening when the Skelmanthorpe B Band will accompany the singing of the carols. Everyone is asked to be seated by 5.45pm.
KIRKBURTON
Mrs Meg Tibbott welcomed the congregation to All Hallows Parish Church for a service of Sung Eucharist on the First Sunday of Advent. Leader was pastoral minister Mr Malcolm Tibbott and the preacher was the Rev Graham Whitcroft who took for his theme, “Advent 1: the two strands of Mark 13”. Churchwarden Mr Glyn Phillips led the Prayers of Intercession and Mrs Rachael Atkinson gave the readings from the first chapter of the first letter of St Paul to the Corinthians and from the Gospel according to St Matthew. The first Advent Candle was lit by Miss Melissa Schindler. The chalice and paten were taken to the altar by Mrs Jean Selbie and Mrs Margaret Whitehead. Mr Whitcroft was assisted at the distribution by Mr Tibbott and pastoral minister Mrs Betty Cross. Mrs Joanne Smith and Mrs Jean Sutcliffe were sidesmen and took up the collection. Mrs Doreen Barraclough accompanied the singing and, after the service, Mrs Margaret Haigh and Mrs Edie Brook served refreshments to the worshippers. In the evening, churchwarden, Mr John Keighley led a special service of Encounter. He took for his theme The Patriarchs. Readings were given from the Book of Genesis by Mrs Carol Keighley, Mrs Betty Cross and Mr Malcolm Tibbott, and from Deuteronomy by Mrs Janet Roberts. Mrs Barraclough provided the music for the service. Worshippers were reminded that tomorrow, there would be a Church4All family service.
SHELLEY
Members of Shelley Over 60s Club held their weekly meeting in the Village Hall last Thursday. The whist high of 93 was won by Vera Rothson and the low of 62 was won by Doris Sommerton from nine tables. The bingo line was won by Gordon Burgin and the full house by Barry Jessop. No one had the first three numbers on one card, so the prize carried forward to next week. This month’s minibus draw was won by number 381 – Tom Williams. Members celebrated the birthdays of John Hoyle, David Heywood, Judith Crowther and Pat Woodhead. Raffle prizes were won by Gordon Burgin, Fred Huddle, Eunice Ramsden, Pauline Workman, Kathleen Proctor and Dora Mettrick.
SKELMANTHORPE
At Skelmanthorpe Methodist Church on the first Sunday in Advent, Holy Communion was presided over by Rev David Priestnall. The theme of the service was ‘Remembering special moments which brought us nearer to God’. The congregation was asked to remember their special moments when they felt that God was near. Bible lessons, read by Margaret Firth and Ailsa Horton, were about being ready for the coming of Jesus. The first Advent candle was lit by Callum Wadsworth. During the service the Nativity figures were blessed by Rev Priestnall, and then they began Posada – a South American custom representing Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in their search for a place to stay. The figures will wend their way around the schools and shops in the village of Skelmanthorpe. The steward for the service was Ailsa Horton and Christine Senior was the organist. A retiring collection was for Kirklees Music School to help towards providing lessons or instruments for disadvantaged children.
Skelmanthorpe Methodist Church Christmas Tree Festival will be held at Pilling Lane from December 9-11. Opening times: Friday 9.30am-5pm and 6-8pm; Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 10am-12,30pm and 2-4pm. Admission adults £1 (including tea/coffee, biscuits, and programme), children free. Use the Pilling Lane entrance. Lunches are served Friday-Saturday 11.30am-1.30pm. Children entertain on Friday at 9.30am–10.10am, 3-3.30pm and 6-7pm. There is live music throughout the whole weekend. Santa visits all day on Saturday and over 50 decorated trees will be on display.
The preacher at Skelmanthorpe Wesleyan Reform Church on Sunday morning was Brian Williams of Wooldale. John Orton played the organ. Refreshments were served afterwards by Susan Wright.
