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DISTRICT NEWS PATRICIA BRADLEY
BOLTON-LE-SANDS 01524 825263
A gathering of 50+ members and guests attended the Mother's Union meeting in the new venue, the Village Hall, on Wednesday April 28. Mrs Pam Bentley opened the meeting with prayer and Mrs Hazel Short read some verses from the scriptures.
Notices were given; one very welcome notice included the success of the Old Boy's School to obtain money from the Heritage Lottery Fund to begin renovating the building hopefully in July or August.
Several members enjoyed a prayer walk in the Lune Valley, led by the Revd Linda McLuskie, with a picnic lunch.
The Deanery Festival is to take place on June 9 at St John's Church, Silverdale; a coach is to be arranged.
The Speaker was introduced. Mr Steve Bland is a Street Pastor working in Lancaster. Steve gave a very informative talk with slides, explaining how the Revd Les Isaacs had started the scheme in London in 2003. The volunteers are Christians from local churches who go out onto the streets mainly from 10.00pm until 5.00am, to listen, care and ensure the safety of young people who may have been drinking and are very vulnerable. They are non-judgemental and do not preach unless asked. The presence of Street Pasters will earn credibility in the community so that people will know the church is there for them in a practical way.
The week-end of April 24/25 was a major event for Christ Church, United Reformed, Bolton-le-Sands for the church has been in the village for 100 years although the present building is only 75 years old.
On the Saturday, there was an exhibition of church artefacts and of members' hobbies. Various artefacts were on display. Amongst them were two small wooden chairs from the ‘Tin Tabernacle' days, two of the mallets used in the laying of the foundation stones of the present building, a coin from the first collection and various documents and photographs. A special cake had been made with sparklers in the figure of 100 which were lit before it was cut and served with afternoon tea.
The Rev Roberta Rominger, the General Secretary of the URC led worship on Sunday. This was a joint service with Hest Bank and Halton churches, all three making up the Rev Yolande Burns' pastorate. Following the service a special lunch was arranged for 100 people with the soup being provided by Halton, the main course by Bolton-le-Sands and dessert by Hest Bank.
The monthly meeting of the Thwaite Brow Wood Conservation Project was held in the Old Boy's School on April 26. The Speaker was Gareth Cole, Poaching Priority Office of the National Wildlife Crime Unit. His talk was on “Poaching in the 21 st Century”.
Mr Pole started by telling of his career in the Welsh Guards followed by the police and then of how he came to take up his present position. He explained how the unit gathers intelligence on possible poachers.
It was explained that poachers are professional thieves, not a local man trying to feed his family. They do not care about the wildlife and the cruelty of their hunting methods. Their crimes are not confined to poaching but steal farmer's equipment, damaging fences and gates as well as burglary of private dwellings.
Mr Pole also explained how people should ask the provenance of wild game before purchasing it in any way. The animals or fish may have been left out in a field or ditch overnight to be collected later when no police are about and can become contaminated by scavengers.
Approximately 50 members of Holy Trinity Mother's Union attended the November meeting held in the Old Boy's Grammar School. The enrolling member, Pam Bentley, opened the meeting with notices and correspondence. The Speaker, the Revd Linda McCluskie was introduced and gave a wonderful address with readings and prayers from the members entitled ‘Approaching Advent'. A decorated table containing pebbles, candles, plants and a list of words ie Anticipation, Expectation, Wonder, Preparation were all part of the theme. The vote of thanks was given by Pam and Linda Leicester presented the Revd with a bouquet of flowers.
Future events include the Christmas Party on December 9 in the Village Hall, the Mother's Union Deanery Walk led by Revd McCluskie on January 29 and a Quiet Morning at Hyning Hall on February 26.
The meeting closed with prayer, tea and biscuits. The next meeting will be the AGM on January 27 2010.
Everyone is welcome to attend the Carol Service on Saturday December 19 at 4.30pm in the Hawthorn's Restaurant. All proceeds go to the Salvation Army.
Christmas is just around the corner and what better time to start this magical time but with a visit to Bolton-le-Sands Primary School for Holy Trinity Church's Christmas Fayre on Saturday December 5 from 1-4pm. Father Christmas will be in his Grotto as well as many stalls where you can buy your Christmas presents and there is a Children's Secret Room too. Fancy Dress prizes for the best child and best adult. An afternoon of family entertainment with refreshments available too.
Later that evening, Santa Claus will be brought to Bolton-le-Sands North in his Sleigh by the Rotary Club of Carnforth on Saturday December 5 and to Bolton-le-Sands South on Sunday evening, December 6. The monies collected are distributed to local projects and other Rotary supported causes.
Unfortunately, the advertised speaker for this month's meeting of the Thwaite Brow Woods Conservation Project was unable to attend on November 23 in the Old Boy's School, instead the Rev. Emilian Cirtina, Pastor at Lancaster Baptist Church, gave a DVD presentation on landscape photography.
The Bolton-le-Sands W.I. held its Annual General Meeting at the Village Hall on Tuesday November 10. There was a good attendance and following the singing of Jerusalem everyone was warmly welcomed by the President, Mrs Brenda Wood. Nominees for the Committee were listed and the Tellers for the evening (Angela Summers and Julie Caton- Bare W.I.) handed out voting slips for the Office of President. Mrs. Wood was overwhelmingly re-elected.
Following presentations of the Financial Report and the Secretary's Report the President gave her annual address. She said the Branch had enjoyed a very successful year and she looked forward to this continuing in 2010.
The competition winner's cup was presented to Mrs J Ireland and prizes were also awarded to Mrs J Baker and Mrs J Buckley. Tea and Coffee were then served and the meeting concluded with a report on the October Autumn Council Meeting held at the Victoria Hall in Bolton.
New members are always welcome and anyone wishing to join should contact the Secretary, Mrs Jean Dennis, Tel. No. 822514
Holy Trinity Church is holding a Christmas Fayre on Saturday December 5 in the village primary school on Mount Pleasant Lane. The Fayre will be opened by Geraldine Smith MP at 1.00pm followed by entertainment throughout the afternoon – singing by the children from Bolton-le-Sands School, dancing from Alysia Gilda Dancing School, pianists Mrs Gill Allen and Mr Ian Entwistle. Visit Father Christmas in his Grotto, there will be lots of stalls offering jewellery, Christmas decorations, toys, crafts and lots lots more. Refreshments will be served, and for the children there is face painting and games to keep them occupied all afternoon. Please come and support this event, it is their main fund raising event of the year. And for children who wish to buy their parent's that special Christmas present, there is the Children's Secret Room.