The Vicars Letter     September 2009

Friends,

This month’s editorial is perhaps one of the most important for a long time – it tells you some of the thinking that is going on within the Benefice and the Diocese.

As you are aware we are a joint Benefice: Hampsthwaite and Killinghall and Birstwith together; however with Rob acting as our House-for-duty Priest at Birstwith things have remained pretty much constant – my time predominately taken up with the life of the parishes of Hampsthwaite and Killinghall whilst Rob deals with Birstwith.

That being said it is not the Deanery or Dioceses plan to replace Rob when he leaves his post which could be as early as March 2011. The Vicar therefore will have to share his time between all three parishes – this obviously will cause changes all over the benefice within its work, church services and life.

I have spoken to both PCC’s and we are holding a joint meeting on the evening of Wednesday 14th October at Killinghall Church (if you are a PCC or Church Committee member then please make this date a priority in your dairy to attend).

The meeting will let us begin to make the necessary plans to adapt ourselves to the changes when they come about - I think this is vital and the Bishop agrees – therefore to facilitate this I have stepped down as assistant Area Dean of Harrogate to allow me more time to prepare, implement and then adapt to the change.

There will have to be a lot of thought given to our priorities over the next couple of years but this should be seen as an exciting way of grasping a vision with its mission opportunities from which we shall all benefit… I ask therefore that you keep the beginning of this process in your thoughts and prayers as we seek God’s guidance and share His vision for our joint future.

Yours in Christ’s service

Garry

CHURCH HALL FLOOR

A huge thank you to John and Brenda (Dawson) for the magnificent transformation of the Church Hall floor. It looks fantastic and it must have taken hours of painstaking work to achieve such a result. Thank you so very much both of you!

Very many thanks also to Jan and Janet for cleaning and tidying up after the fitting of the new hall boiler.

HARVEST FLOWER ARRANGING IN CHURCH

Our Harvest Festival is just around the corner and we are looking for willing helpers who will be available on: THURSDAY 24th SEPTEMBER

from 9.30 am

We also need ample supplies of greenery, vegetables, fruit, produce and flowers. Bread also enhances the arrangements, so if anyone is willing to knead some dough and bake it for us, that would be an added bonus.

If any of the mothers who attend the Birstwith School harvest festival service in church could spare a little time after the service to arrange the children’s gifts please let me know.

A list will be placed at the back of the church and if you would like to put your name against an area you would like to decorate, then please do so, or if you would prefer to telephone me on 770654 I would be happy to give you further information.

Jenni Worsnop

BIRSTWITH C E SCHOOL NEWS

We were relieved that the weather proved warm and sunny for our open afternoon celebration regarding the new build on Friday 12th June. It was a pleasure to see so many visitors from our immediate community – and from further afield – who took the opportunity to re-acquaint themselves with School. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the refreshments kindly organised by members of the Friends – the cakes were delicious! The children provided entertainment in the form of songs and instrument playing at regular intervals during the afternoon.

We will be holding a number of School practice sessions prior to the children’s production of “Three Cheers for Mrs Butler”: performances will take place on the revised dates at 2.00pm on Monday 13th July, and 6.30pm on Wednesday evening 15th July. Tickets will be available from School two weeks before these dates.

During last month we invited the parents of our new September starters into School when this not only gave staff an opportunity to provide them with practical information regarding their child’s start in School, but also enabled any further parents’ queries to be answered. In addition to the usual visit by our uniform supplier we were also able to offer some School-cooked refreshments fresh-baked from our recently refurbished kitchen! During the first two weeks of July we will be welcoming these reception children into School for a morning and afternoon session – the motivation is to familiarise the children with a taste of their new School and fellow pupils. Thursday 9th July, is also our current children’s “moving up” day when they will all experience what it may be like to be in their next curricular year.

A number of Year 7 teachers from local secondary schools have visited our Year 6s who will be moving into their schools in September in addition to which our children will be attending induction days at their chosen “big” schools.

Our Leavers’ Assembly this year will, again, be held in School on Thursday 16th July, at 9.30am.

With our Sports Day, staff professional development and a Governing Body meeting being held on Friday afternoons during the latter part of the term, the only Merit Assembly - to which you are all warmly invited - will be held at 3.00pm on Friday 10th July.

School closes for the summer holidays at 3.00pm on Friday 17th July, and re-opens on Monday 7th September. We would like to take the opportunity to wish you all an enjoyable summer.

Secretary

EMBROIDERERS’ GUILD

Details of the next three meetings of the Nidderdale Branch:

18th July Competition Day with a members show and tell. 10.00am until 4.00pm

1st August Annual Exhibition to be held as usual in the Memorial Hall, Pateley Bridge. 10.30am until 3.30pm. Entrance Fee £1.00.

19th Sept Annual Lunch and AGM held in the Church Hall, Birstwith. 12.00 Noon for 12.30pm. Members only.

As before, all meetings will be held in Birstwith Church Hall and visitors and new members will be most welcome. For further information contact Mrs Pauline Reeve on 0113 2893248.

LUNCHEON CLUB

It was good to see several members at the last meeting who had recently been in hospital and now looking fit and well.

The next meeting will be a week earlier than normal, 14th July. If you turn up on the usual Tuesday you will be able to enjoy a concert instead!

We do not meet in August but hope to return on 15th September and continue for a further year meeting on the 3rd Tuesday except in December or when we have staffing problems. I will try and advise in good time of any changes if they are unavoidable.

As usual, please let either Brenda (770409), Thelma (770891) or me know if you are unable to attend so we can welcome guests.

Elaine Burge (770274)

Electoral Roll Officer

We are looking for someone to take on the role of Electoral Roll Officer for St. James’s. This is not a particularly onerous task, but the person should be familiar with using Microsoft Excel or similar. Anyone interested should contact Geoffrey (779084 or geoffreyraspin@birstwith.net) who will try to explain what is entailed.

Grass cutting coordinator

We are also looking for someone to coordinate the cutting of the grass in the Churchyard. There is a good number of volunteers for doing the cutting, but someone who can oversee the whole operation would be a great asset. Anyone interested should contact Maurice Worsnop on 770654.

BIRSTWITH W.I.

Two representatives from Horticap at Bluecoat Wood Nurseries gave us the history of how this independent charity for students with learning difficulties was born. A group of volunteers who used to exhibit in the Valley Gardens acquired this barren land on Otley Road. All the hard ground work was carried out with the help of the students, who now receive practical training in a wide range of activities. They continue to raise money to support their aims through sales, donations and fundraising events.

Final arrangements were made for the Baby Show and our stall at Birstwith Show.

It was agreed to enter a team in the Federation Pub Quiz this autumn.

Some of our members spent an evening in Knaresborough at the beginning of August. After a short but pleasant walk around Conyngham Hall they enjoyed a meal at a Chinese restaurant.

Our summer dinner, which was again held at the Grantley Arms, was enjoyed by everyone. The food and service, as usual, were excellent.

Iris Petch

LUNCHEON CLUB

I hope you have all had an enjoyable summer and are looking forward to lunch on Tuesday, 15th September.

As usual, please let Brenda (770409)  Thelma (7709891) or me know if you are unable to come or would like to bring a guest.

Confirming what I said at July's lunch, we are reluctantly having to increase the price this year to £4, but will keep December lunch at £5. This should enable us to cover costs and have some extra for charities and the cost of the Church Hall.

Elaine Burge (770274)

EMBROIDERERS’ GUILD

Please find listed below the details of the next three meetings of the Nidderdale Branch of the Embroiderers’ Guild, which we hope you will publish in the Birstwith Parish Magazine.

20th June 2009 Talk by Diane Bates on “The Painted Lady Collection”  Sewing morning 10.00 am speaker 2.00pm until 4.00pm.

As before, all meetings will be held in Birstwith Church Hall and visitors and new members will be most welcome.

For further information contact Mrs Pauline Reeve on 0113 2893248.

JACK-IN-THE-B0X BABY & TODDLER GROUP

Meet on Wednesdays during school term time in the Church Hall 1.30pm – 3.00pm. For further information please contact Sheila Plant 779155.

MOBILE LIBRARY

The Mobile Library will visit Birstwith on Tuesday 8th & 29th September. It will be at Birstwith Grange from 11.35am – 12 noon. On Wednesday 2nd & 23rd September it will be at Cragg Hall Farm from 11.40 - 11.50am and on Friday 11th September at The Holme from 11.35 – 11.45am.

LIFTS

For lifts to Church and appointments at Birstwith Surgery or collection of prescriptions, please contact Edward March on 770891.

MAGAZINE

Articles, news or announcements for the October magazine should be sent to Ruth Raspin, Coachman’s Cottage, Birstwith, by noon on Friday 18th September prior to publication on Sunday 27th September.

Tel: 779084 e-mail ruthraspin@birstwith.net

September

Sun 6th 13th Sunday after Trinity HOLY COMMUNION (BCP) 8.30 am SUNG EUCHARIST (CW) 10.00 am EVENSONG 6.30 pm

Thur 10th W.I. meet in the Church Hall 7.30 pm

Sat 12th Wedding of Christopher Francis Pote & Carolyn Louise Edwards 12.30 pm

Sun 13th 14th Sunday after Trinity SUNG EUCHARIST (CW) 10.00 am EVENSONG 6.30 pm

Tue 15th Luncheon Club meet in the Church Hall 12.00 for 12.30 pm

Thur 17th P.C.C. meet in Church Hall 7.30 pm

Sat 19th Embroiderers' Guild Annual Lunch & AGM in the Church Hall 12.00 for 12.30pm

Sun 20th 15th Sunday after Trinity HOLY COMMUNION (BCP) 8.30 am SUNG EUCHARIST (CW) 10.00 am EVENSONG 6.30 pm

Thur 24th Harvest Decorating of Church 9.30 am HARVEST FESTIVAL followed by supper in the Church Hall 6.30 pm

Sat 26th World’s Biggest Coffee Morning 2009 at The Paddock, Clapham Green   in aid of MacMillan Cancer Relief 10.00 am - 12 noon

Sun 27th 16th Sunday after Trinity HARVEST FAMILY SERVICE 10.00 am HOLY COMMUNION (BCP) 6.30 pm

Mon 28th Distribution of Harvest Gifts 9.30 am

Tue 29th 100 Club Draw at the Old Station Inn 8.30 pm

PLEASE NOTE: Change of dates and times of early morning Holy Communion services.

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